Forum Replies Created

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    August 11, 2024 at 12:52 am in reply to: Lesson 6: Bring Together The Full Plot

    Patrick McCormick’s Plot

    What I learned doing this assignment is;
    As more and more pieces to fall into place, the story begins defining itself in a natural way. Characters become people, react in situations, and life goes on for them.

    STEP 1. START WITH THE STRUCTURE FROM TRACK 1

    A. WHAT INTERESTING WORLD COULD THIS MOVIE/SHOW BE SET IN?
    An aging movie studio that needs saving, leading to another dimension where the Hollywood magic is real.

    B. WHAT MAJOR CONFLICT COULD BE HAPPENING?
    Executive Assistant is doing the deal to save the studio.
    Hollywood Executive is stopping the deal to save the magic.
    Hollywood Executive escapes to dimension where movies are created before they are made on Earth.
    A dark force prepares to use Hollywood to destroy the world.

    C. WHAT INTRIGUING SITUATION COULD THESE CHARACTERS BE ENGAGED IN?
    Executive Assistant trying save the studio.
    Hollywood Executive trying to save the magic and escapes.
    Deal falls through and all collapses.
    Executive Assistant tries to find Hollywood Executive.
    They discover evil plan in other dimension.
    Hollywood Executive and Assistant try to stop evil, save Hollywood and humanity.

    ACT 1:

    OPENING
    Hollywood Executive in failing studio looking for disappearing Hollywood magic.
    Executive Assistant trying to save studio by doing multi-picture deal.

    INCITING INCIDENT
    Hollywood Executive tries to stop deal that could save his studio.
    Executive Assistant trying to do the deal that could save the studio.
    Hollywood Executive escapes to find the Magic.
    They pursue him to sign the papers.

    TURNING POINT
    Hollywood Executive escapes to another dimension.
    Studio collapses into bankruptcy and all is lost.

    ACT 2:

    NEW PLAN
    Executive Assistant tries to process the loss of their life’s work.
    Executive Assistant searches for Hollywood Executive after it falls apart.

    PLAN IN ACTION
    Executive Assistant goes to where he disappeared, desperately trying to find him.

    MIDPOINT TURNING POINT
    At the moment she could die, Hollywood Executive pulls her into the other dimension.

    ACT 3:

    RETHINK EVERYTHING
    The now-rejuvenated Hollywood Executive gives tour of other dimension.
    They find something very wrong. Begin to investigate, uncovering evil plan.

    NEW PLAN
    Ascension Guide prepares them for return to Earth to stop evil plan of using Hollywood to fulfill armageddon.
    They will probably fail and die.

    TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE / MAJOR SHIFT
    Hollywood Executive and Assistant get caught and arrested.
    Armageddon approaches on the horizon.
    Humanity gets isolated by higher forces to minimize cosmic damage.

    ACT 4:

    CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT
    Hollywood Executive battles ancient demon for fate of humanity, and loses.
    Humanity now cut off from Heaven and Earth to minimize armageddon.
    They are thrown into void to die.

    RESOLUTION
    Demon’s future good self stops his ancient evil self and saves them.
    Senior Executive and Assistant wind up together and use Hollywood to save humanity.

    STEP 2. INTO THAT STRUCTURE, FILL IN THE 7 STAGES OF LOVE

    1. MEET-CUTE
    The initial moment that signals that a love relationship might start. This is the spark! There is usually a mutual connection/attraction, even if it is awkward.

    Sean has mentored Linda for 15 years, but his studio is failing. He stalls the studio-saving deal as he looks for the missing Hollywood magic.
    Linda shows him the studio will die if the deal doesn’t happen, covering for him so the investors don’t run away.

    2. ATTRACTION/FLIRTING
    These two feel an attraction to each other and engage in playful or flirtatious behavior. Together with the Meet-Cute, this causes us to believe these two might belong together.

    Linda tries convincing Sean to just do the deal, then he can retire.
    Sean stalls, using craziness, pranks and wit to buy time while searching for the magic.
    Linda puts up with him by being the grown up stuffy business person.

    3. DENIAL
    With the intense feelings that come early in love, people often go into some type of denial. They don’t know if this is the right person or if it will last. It’s easier to be in denial.

    Linda stays focused on being the serious deal maker while being secretly entertained by his childishness and admiring his dedication.
    Sean is charmed by her denying her inner-silliness while wearing a shiny executive veneer. If only they weren’t 5 decades apart.

    4. SEPARATION/FORCED TOGETHER
    The situation somehow forces the characters to spend time together for long enough to build a relationship – either good or bad.

    Working together for 15 years; he the mentor, she the student.
    But old friends find it hard to admit their deeper love.

    5. WORKING THROUGH ISSUES/DIFFERENCES
    Each of them has an issue that must be resolved for them to be together. During this story, they confront the main issue that will keep them apart.

    He just won’t give up on finding the lost magic, even if he loses the studio.
    She never really believed in his crazy dream, and has to betray/disagree for the first time to get the deal done.

    6. HATE/BETRAYAL/ALL HOPE IS LOST
    A major conflict or betrayal occurs, making it seem like the relationship is irreparably damaged. This part often causes one or both to go into desperate action to resolve things.

    Watching him go into that interdimensional portal, left with a dying studio, all is lost.
    Admitting her true feelings, going after him, she gives up.
    He pulls her into the realm of real Hollywood magic just in time, and her old life is gone.

    7. LOVE HAPPENS
    The characters realize their true feelings for each other and do whatever it takes to be together. This stage provides the emotional resolution.

    While giving her the tour of the creative dimension, something is very wrong.
    Now they must fight to save humanity, and his studio is the key, he was right!
    Along the way they risk it all while falling in love.
    She must be there for him even if it kills her.

    3. BUILD IN BOTH TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEYS

    SEAN DAERY’S TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY

    1. INITIAL STATE:
    Sean is an aging studio executive who is watching Hollywood lose its substance to a modern world, becoming just a profit machine without a soul.

    2. MEET-CUTE MOMENT:
    Sean discovers Linda 15 years before, admiring her youthful sincere hopefulness wrapped in a cute awkward girl. He takes her under his wing and gives her a chance. Now she tries to save him like he saved her.

    3. INITIAL CHALLENGES:
    Sean decides to find and save the magic being lost in Hollywood, becoming obsessed. As the modern world converges around him and his studio is dying, he has to balance both worlds.

    4. MAJOR CONFLICT / OBSTACLE:
    Sean must choose which world to live in. Sell out and modernize, or stay on his path of finding the magic and saving it.

    5. SELF-REFLECTION:
    Resisting the deal of a lifetime, Sean realizes he must stay true to who he is, leaving it all to be lost.

    6. ACCEPTANCE AND GROWTH:
    Entering the dimension where real Hollywood magic is made before it goes to Earth, he has to find out what is wrong that he first felt happening on Earth.

    7. DEMONSTRATE THE CHANGE:
    Deciding to go to Earth and stop the end of the world, Sean risks everything, not only to save humanity, but Linda who he has always loved but could never be with.

    8. REUNION:
    Battling the demon creating armageddon, Sean must now face who he really is, an ancient god with the power of fate in his hands incarnated as a human.
    With the fight for humanity now over, he and Linda can now return the course of humanity on the right path.

    LINDA DELANEY’S TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY

    1. INITIAL STATE:
    Linda was just a naive kid wanting to do big things in Hollywood when they met. Sean taking her under his wing, she was always thankful for the chance.

    2. MEET-CUTE MOMENT:
    15 years later, with a studio saving deal for the taking, Linda knows this will set them up to become truly successful. Showing Sean the numbers, he acts like he doesn’t notice, going on about his quest for the magic.

    3. INITIAL CHALLENGES:
    Linda has to get Sean to sign the papers so the deal can go through, but he does everything he can to stall it.

    4. MAJOR CONFLICT / OBSTACLE:
    As Sean runs away, the investors ready to leave and they chase after him, he disappears into another dimension. Linda has to clean up a bankrupt studio, losing everything they worked for.

    5. SELF-REFLECTION:
    Finally admitting how she really feels, waking up halfway across the world from a drunken stupor, she tries to find Sean, and just when she admits failure and faces death, he pulls her into that realm.

    6. ACCEPTANCE AND GROWTH:
    Sean and Linda investigate whats wrong in the Creator Realm, uncovering the plan to awaken armageddon using Hollywood. They risk everything to stop it or humanity is doomed.

    7. DEMONSTRATE THE CHANGE:
    As Linda learns to commit crimes to save the world, she must awaken her inner hero just to survive. Battling the demon along Sean, she faces the fact its better to follow your truth rather than betray who you really are.

    8. REUNION:
    As Sean and Linda save the world, they must now change the course of humanity, using the same vehicle it was to be destroyed with, Hollywood.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 22, 2024 at 8:17 pm in reply to: Lesson 5

    Patrick McCormick's Her Journey / His Journey

    What I learned doing this assignment is:
    Putting what we see into words allows the story to become real. Clarifying each part separately, we see how it all fits together to make a beautiful adventure.

    Sean Daery's Transformational Journey

    1. Initial state:
    Sean is an aging studio executive who is watching Hollywood lose its substance to a modern world, becoming just a profit machine without a soul.

    2. Meet-Cute moment:
    Sean discovers Linda 15 years before, admiring her youthful sincere hopefulness wrapped in a cute awkward girl. He takes her under his wing and gives her a chance. Now she tries to save him like he saved her.

    3. Initial challenges:
    Sean decides to find and save the magic being lost in Hollywood, becoming obsessed. As the modern world converges around him and his studio is dying, he has to balance both worlds.

    4. Major conflict / Obstacle:
    Sean must choose which world to live in. Sell out and modernize, or stay on his path of finding the magic and saving it.

    5. Self-Reflection:
    Resisting the deal of a lifetime, Sean realizes he must stay true to who he is, leaving it all to be lost.

    6. Acceptance and Growth:
    Entering the dimension where real Hollywood magic is made before it goes to Earth, he has to find out what is wrong that he first felt happening on Earth.

    7. Demonstrate the change:
    Deciding to go to Earth and stop the end of the world, Sean risks everything, not only to save humanity, but Linda who he has always loved but could never be with.

    8. Reunion:
    Battling the demon creating armageddon, Sean must now face who he really is, an ancient god with the power of fate in his hands incarnated as a human.
    With the fight for humanity now over, he and Linda can now return the course of humanity on the right path.

    Linda Delaney's Transformational Journey

    1. Initial state:
    Linda was just a naive kid wanting to do big things in Hollywood when they met. Sean taking her under his wing, she was always thankful for the chance.

    2. Meet-Cute moment:
    15 years later, with a studio saving deal for the taking, Linda knows this will set them up to become truly successful. Showing Sean the numbers, he acts like he doesn't notice, going on about his quest for the magic.

    3. Initial challenges:
    Linda has to get Sean to sign the papers so the deal can go through, but he does everything he can to stall it.

    4. Major conflict / Obstacle:
    As Sean runs away, the investors ready to leave and they chase after him, he disappears into another dimension. Linda has to clean up a bankrupt studio, losing everything they worked for.

    5. Self-Reflection:
    Finally admitting how she really feels, waking up halfway across the world from a drunken stupor, she tries to find Sean, and just when she admits failure and faces death, he pulls her into that realm.

    6. Acceptance and Growth:
    Sean and Linda investigate whats wrong in the Creator Realm, uncovering the plan to awaken armageddon using Hollywood. They risk everything to stop it or humanity is doomed.

    7. Demonstrate the change:
    As Linda learns to commit crimes to save the world, she must awaken her inner hero just to survive. Battling the demon along Sean, she faces the fact its better to follow your truth rather than betray who you really are.

    8. Reunion:
    As Sean and Linda save the world, they must now change the course of humanity, using the same vehicle it was to be destroyed with, Hollywood.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 18, 2024 at 8:15 pm in reply to: Lesson 4

    Patrick McCormick's 7 Stages Of Love

    Lesson 4: Plot Track 2: The 7 Stages of Love

    What I learned doing this assignment is:
    Knowing your material this depth shows us what needs improving and gives greater liberty to intensify, while following the conventions.

    1. Meet-Cute
    Sean has mentored Linda for 15 years, but his studio is failing. He stalls the studio-saving deal as he looks for the missing Hollywood magic.
    Linda shows him the studio will die if the deal doesn't happen, covering for him so the investors don't run away.

    2. Attraction/Flirting
    Linda tries convincing Sean to just do the deal, then he can retire.
    Sean stalls, using craziness, pranks and wit to buy time while searching for the magic.
    Linda puts up with him by being the grown up stuffy business person.

    3. Denial
    Linda stays focused on being the serious deal maker while being secretly entertained by his childishness and admiring his dedication.
    Sean is charmed by her denying her inner-silliness while wearing a shiny executive veneer. If only they weren't 5 decades apart.

    4. Separation/Forced Together
    Working together for 15 years; he the mentor, she the student.
    But old friends find it hard to admit their deeper love.

    5. Working through Issues/Differences
    He just won't give up on finding the lost magic, even if he loses the studio.
    She never really believed in his crazy dream, and has to betray/disagree for the first time to get the deal done.

    6. Hate/Betrayal/All Hope is Lost
    Watching him go into that interdimensional portal, left with a dying studio, all is lost.
    Admitting her true feelings, going after him, she gives up.
    He pulls her into the realm of real Hollywood magic just in time, and her old life is gone.

    7. Love Happens
    While giving her the tour of the creative dimension, something is very wrong.
    Now they must fight to save humanity, and his studio is the key, he was right!
    Along the way they risk it all while falling in love.
    She must be there for him even if it kills her.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 18, 2024 at 4:11 pm in reply to: Lesson 3

    Patrick McCormick’s Bigger Story

    What I learned doing this assignment is:
    Ironically, clarifying the larger framework gives our creative self freedom to create without limitation in the defined world, without being bogged by details.

    A. What interesting world could this movie/show be set in?
    An aging movie studio that needs saving, leading to another dimension where the Hollywood magic is real.

    B. What major conflict could be happening?
    Executive Assistant is doing the deal to save the studio.
    Hollywood Executive is stopping the deal to save the magic.
    Hollywood Executive escapes to dimension where movies are created before they are made on Earth.
    A dark force prepares to use Hollywood to destroy the world.

    C. What intriguing situation could these characters be engaged in?
    Executive Assistant trying save the studio.
    Hollywood Executive trying to save the magic and escapes.
    Deal falls through and all collapses.
    Executive Assistant tries to find Hollywood Executive.
    They discover evil plan in other dimension.
    Hollywood Executive and Assistant try to stop evil, save Hollywood and humanity.

    Act 1:
    Opening
    Hollywood Executive in failing studio looking for disappearing Hollywood magic.
    Executive Assistant trying to save studio by doing multi-picture deal.

    Inciting Incident
    Hollywood Executive tries to stop deal that could save his studio.
    Executive Assistant trying to do the deal that could save the studio.
    Hollywood Executive escapes to find the Magic.
    They pursue him to sign the papers.

    Turning Point
    Hollywood Executive escapes to another dimension.
    Studio collapses into bankruptcy and all is lost.

    Act 2:
    New plan
    Executive Assistant tries to process the loss of their life’s work.
    Executive Assistant searches for Hollywood Executive after it falls apart.

    Plan in action
    Executive Assistant goes to where he disappeared, desperately trying to find him.

    Midpoint Turning Point
    At the moment she could die, Hollywood Executive pulls her into the other dimension.

    Act 3:
    Rethink everything
    The now-rejuvenated Hollywood Executive gives tour of other dimension.
    They find something very wrong. Begin to investigate, uncovering evil plan.

    New plan
    Ascension Guide prepares them for return to Earth to stop evil plan of using Hollywood to fulfill armageddon.
    They will probably fail and die.

    Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift
    Hollywood Executive and Assistant get caught and arrested.
    Armageddon approaches on the horizon.
    Humanity gets isolated by higher forces to minimize cosmic damage.

    Act 4:
    Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict
    Hollywood Executive battles ancient demon for fate of humanity, and loses.
    Humanity now cut off from Heaven and Earth to minimize armageddon.
    They are thrown into void to die.

    Resolution
    Demon’s future good self stops his ancient evil self and saves them.
    Senior Executive and Assistant wind up together and use Hollywood to save humanity.

    Setup For Next Movie
    Ascension Guide shows how demon program escaped and has to be stopped.
    The demon program could escape into Heaven Matrix and threaten Creation.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 15, 2024 at 8:28 pm in reply to: Lesson 2

    Patrick McCormick's Romantic Comedy
    What I learned doing this assignment:
    Clarifying a story using these templates creates a natural way to see the bigger picture.
    Lesson 2: Key Decisions For Characters

    Who is She?
    Linda Delaney: A young 30 something girl with a kind heart doing her best in the harsh world of Hollywood, while protecting the one who discovered her 15 years ago.
    In the opening, she shows him the studio is going bankrupt unless they do a deal to save it.
    After the first meeting, she watches him trick the executive trainees into thinking they're fired, just to watch the chaos.

    Who is He?
    Sean Daery: The aging executive struggling to keep his studio alive, uses sharp wit and humor to defend against the modernization of Hollywood.
    In the opening scene he lands a toy plane on his desk after an imaginary flight over Los Angeles through time.
    As the lawyers try to convince him to do a studio-saving deal, he ridicules their greed and shallowness.

    What makes Linda lovable?
    Her sincere savvy business sense.
    Her endearing appreciation for Sean as a mentor.
    Fiercely protecting him from ruthless dealmakers.

    What makes Sean lovable?
    His genius spontaneous wit
    His dedication to his cause.
    His use of humor to protect the sacred spirit of Hollywood.

    What causes Linda to be attracted to Sean?
    Being given a chance to succeed.
    His unending wit.
    His unquenchable quest of guarding the magic.

    What causes Sean to be attracted to Linda?
    Her innocence and sincerity.
    Her dedication to her cause.
    Her fiercely protective nature.

    What needs does Sean fulfill for Linda?
    To believe in something greater.
    His forthright kindness.
    His unending dedication when no one else believes.

    What needs does Linda fulfill for Sean?
    Believing in her authentic nature.
    Protecting her innocence.
    Her strong spirit, even though she doesn't see it.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 13, 2024 at 9:32 pm in reply to: Lesson 1

    Two People Who Belong Together:

    SEAN and LINDA have been working with his movie studio he’s run since the 1960’s, ever since he discovered her 15 years ago.

    How Are They Separated:

    53 years age difference.

    What Forces Them together:

    His long-term purpose to save the studio, her long-term purpose to support him.

    Studio has an offer for 1.5 Billion to make 15 features, but will go bankrupt if the deal doesn’t happen.

    Issues to be Resolved:

    He’s on a quest to find the lost magic, trying to stop the deal.

    She’s on a quest to save the studio, trying to save the deal.

    On Their Journey of Love:

    She’s the young kid he believed in 15 years ago.

    He’s the aging executive from bygone days keeping Hollywood magic alive.

    She’s been supporting him, as the buffer between the modern world and his dreams.

    He’s following his quest of saving Hollywood magic, no matter what.

    Experience of Falling In Love:

    He felt an endearing love for her innocence and passion ever since he discovered her years ago.

    She’s always been grateful for the chance, and believed in his never-ending quest to keep the tradition alive.

    The Journey of Love:

    They’ve always had a mentor-student relationship, but have always loved each other. But 53 years age difference makes that impossible. What happens next risks everything, and their love may not survive.

    Relationship Set-up:

    They’ve been friends for years, but could never admit their true feelings.

    Now she’s just trying to save the studio, and he seems not to care.

    Issues each must Resolve:

    She is way too serious and grown up.

    He is way too joking and childish.

    They set things in motion which threaten humanity, and try not to die doing it.

    Separation:

    She can’t support him if he’s going to ruin their lifetime of work for some crazy dream no one believes in.

    How will Comedy be Expressed:

    He uses extremely sharp wit and playfulness to combat the seriousness happening around him he sees as the threat.

    She tries to be serious, but is really a gentle girl with a big heart, making her clumsy and savvy at business.

    She tries to make him to do the deal, but he runs away.

    He goes to a place she cannot. She loses everything and tries to find him.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 9, 2024 at 9:11 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself to the Group

    1. Name
    Patrick McCormick

    2. How many scripts you’ve written?
    2 features; The first I ever wrote at age 14 (1976), the second I did in 1996 which I'm realizing is a Rom Com (instead of the supernatural thriller I always saw it as) now that this class is happening. A story finds its home in its own time.

    3. What you hope to get out of the class?
    To actually get a script produced, starting this new phase of life as a produced writer.
    To be functional within the industry.

    4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?
    Spent 20 years as a writer for the King of Hawaii to world leaders. Getting ready to try something totally insane to fulfill the Kingdoms destiny of changing the world.
    Doing my own Quantum Spirituality show since 2014 (in S92 now, about 260 shows/year).
    Monitored the sovereignty movements in the U.S. since 1989.
    Now going through my 96 story ideas (in various levels of completion) Ive gathered from real life supernatural experiences and see which ones are Marketable and High Concept. Its time to tell what really happened in extremely entertaining ways.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 9, 2024 at 8:43 pm in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I agree to the terms of this agreement for the Romantic Comedy Class

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    April 5, 2024 at 12:40 am in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I Patrick McCormick, agree to the terms and conditions of the confidentiality agreement for the 2024 WIM+AI Class

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    October 14, 2023 at 4:52 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself to the Group

    Hi. Patrick McCormick here.

    I desire to become functional with BW+AI

    I’ve worked with the Kingdom of Hawaii issue since 1990, and now prepare to bring it into a bingeworthy level. With this recent, highly suspect event on Maui in August of 2023, Hawaii is now front and center of the world stage. Having insider information about Hawaii no one else has, which seems so out there it can’t be real, the only way to present this is through a High-Powered series.

    I did the BW back in 2018, and now its time to bring it home on the screen

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    October 14, 2023 at 4:48 pm in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I Patrick McCormick, agree to the terms of this confidentiality Agreement/release form.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    March 12, 2023 at 6:12 am in reply to: Lesson 14

    Lesson 14 Act 2 Middle Scenes

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Act 2 Middle Scenes

    What I Learned: Even though some scenes may be challenging, when you just keep writing they show up.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Change Agent: Elizabeth

    Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change – the Constant in the Universe

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 2 BEAT SHEET – PROTAGONIST TAKES ON PLAN AND EXECUTES IT

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    Cody now strong enough stands up and confronts her mother. Mother announces they are moving away.

    EXT. STREETS – NIGHT

    Cody sneaks out of bedroom window and runs away.

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    Joyce found out Cody ran away & calls ex-husband cop and tells him to ‘handle this’

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 3 BEAT SHEET – NOT ONLY DOES THEIR PLAN FAIL, BUT…

    INT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    Cody tries to get ride out of town.

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    Cody almost gets raped and murdered – recreating her karma from before.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – NIGHT

    Elizabeth senses Cody in trouble, de-manifests.

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    Elizabeth re-manifests, dis-creating and saving her just in time.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – NIGHT

    Cody falls into traumatized ball as Elizabeth consoles her.

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 2 OUTLINE – PROTAGONIST TAKES ON PLAN AND EXECUTES IT

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    BEGINNING: Cody now strong enough stands up to Joyce/her mother.

    MIDDLE: Joyce announces they’re moving away, and Cody must go as a minor.

    END: Cody tries to rebel, Joyce threatens to tell her psychiatrist. Cody runs away.

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 3 OUTLINE – NOT ONLY DOES THEIR PLAN FAIL, BUT…

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    BEGINNING: Cody runs away, at truck stop tries to hitch a ride

    MIDDLE: Cody gets apprehended by 2 men who try to rape and murder her

    END: Elizabeth saves Cody by dis-creating her just in time back to Thrift Store.

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 2 – PROTAGONIST TAKES ON PLAN AND EXECUTES IT

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    Cody now strong enough stands up and confronts her mother.

    CODY

    Hello mother.

    JOYCE

    Hello dear. How was your day? I have some exciting news.

    CODY

    I’ve had time to contemplate… lots of things. Things from my past.

    JOYCE

    I see. And what did you find?

    CODY

    Things aren’t always what they seem. Such as when looking back at my molestation. The fear, the trauma, and the healing.

    JOYCE

    What that man did to you, you’re lucky to be alive.

    CODY

    Yes, that would have been inconvenient. Instead I lived… lucky me. You and dad were there when I needed it most. I’m still troubled.

    JOYCE

    Of course dear, anyone would be traumatized. We’re so glad we didn’t lose you.

    CODY

    And yet you didn’t. So mother, let me ask you, why did you murder my baby?

    JOYCE

    We didn’t murder the baby, it wasn’t even formed yet. And, not having a bastard son, saved you a lot of grief.

    CODY

    Yes, you didn’t hesitate to take care of that issue right away. Then I thought about, why were they in such a hurry, to take my baby from me. Then I realized, you didn’t do it for me.

    JOYCE

    How dare you say that! We did it for all of us. Could you imagine, raising a child that came from the rape of the mother?

    CODY

    Actually I can. I can imagine all of it, and you know what, you’re greatest reason wasn’t to watch out for me, it was to save your and dad’s precious public reputation. And that’s why you sacrificed the life of my child, who wasn’t even born yet.

    JOYCE

    Honey, a soul brought into this world should not have to deal with the trauma of its parents, it should be born out of love. Your rape, that’s about as traumatic as it gets.

    CODY

    That’s true. But… she had a soul. A soul you kept from coming into this world.

    JOYCE

    We all make sacrifices dear, we just have to choose the lesser of two evils as our suffering.

    CODY

    Hm, you will never change, will you mother. And that’s why I’ve decided to move out.

    JOYCE

    What? You can’t.

    CODY

    But I’ve grown up, I have a job, and moved on. You should try it sometime.

    JOYCE

    Besides, our plans have changed. We’re moving, and you’re coming with me.

    CODY

    No! I can’t leave. My job is really really important.

    JOYCE

    You don’t have a choice dear. I’m still your legal guardian. And besides, you wouldn’t want me to tell your court appointed psychiatrist you are having relapses.

    CODY

    That’s a lie. You know I’m not.

    JOYCE

    Yes, but he doesn’t know that, and it’d be your word against mine.

    CODY

    Did someone fuck with you as a kid? Because that’s pretty screwed up. You don’t even feel like my mother right now.

    JOYCE

    Doesn’t matter. The courts say I am. Pack your things, you’re quitting tomorrow.

    EXT. STREETS – NIGHT

    Cody sneaks out of bedroom window, looking back at the only home she ever knew, and runs away. Hitchhiking out of town, she stopped at the local truck stop.

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    Going inside she sits at a booth. The waitress shows up and she orders coffee.

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    JOYCE

    at Cody’s bedroom door

    Cody, I’m sorry, for everything. Maybe we can have a fresh start. This move will be good for all of us.

    Opening the door, she goes to the bed and finds Cody has escaped.

    JOYCE (con’t)

    on the phone to ex-husband

    Hello Jim, Joyce. Cody’s gone… I told her we’re moving. I know, I know. Well we can’t have her running around. She’s still in my custody, and you know what that means. You’re the father, and a cop. You better handle this.

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 3 – NOT ONLY DOES THEIR PLAN FAIL, BUT…

    INT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    Cody sneaks out her bedroom window and walks to the street, hitching a ride to get out of town, a mixture of emotions and unsureness travel her face. Getting out at the truck stop to find a ride, she sits at a diner booth.

    WAITRESS

    What can I get you sweetie?

    CODY

    Just coffee thanks.

    Looking around, she spots a lone trucker at the counter. Asking him if she can ride along, he said no. Sipping coffee and glancing around, she spots a few guys in another booth. Asking them they said sure.

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    As they were going to the car, one of the guys said;

    JOSH/FIRST TRAVELER

    How you fixing to pay sweetie? Nobody rides for free.

    CODY

    I can put in gas, buy you meals.

    ADAM/SECOND TRAVELER

    Hear that Josh, she’s gonna pay our way.

    At the other side of their car in the dark parking lot.

    JOSH

    Well we were thinking something else. You’re looking mighty fine.

    ADAM

    With pretty lips like that, I bet you’re really good with that mouth, a blow job to remember.

    CODY

    pulling away

    What? No! Get off of me!

    JOSH

    pulling out a switch blade and opened the rear car door, as Adam covered her mouth.

    I love it when they struggle.

    As the men restrained her, Adam holding her arms as Josh pulled down her pants, she started flailing about. Thoughts of her rape came flooding back, and thoughts of “Oh god, I’m gonna die.”

    INT. ELIZABETH’S HOME – NIGHT

    Suddenly realizing Cody was in trouble, Elizabeth de-manifested.

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    Just then a bright flash appeared as Elizabeth manifested right before them. They couldn’t compute as Elizabeth went in a microsecond to Cody and de-manifested her just as Josh went to mount her.

    INT. ELIZABETH’S HOME – NIGHT

    Manifesting back at Elizabeth’s home, Cody crying falls into traumatized ball as a seated Elizabeth consoles her.

    I’m sorry!… ah ha ha, I’m sorry!!

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    March 2, 2023 at 6:11 pm in reply to: Lesson 13

    Lesson 13 Act 2 Begins

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Act 2 Reaction To Turning Point 1

    What I Learned: Keeping focused on just what is asked without extraneous information is key to learning the intended techniques in the lessons.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Change Agent: Elizabeth

    Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change – the Constant in the Universe

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 1 BEAT SHEET

    EXT. THRIFT STORE PARKING LOT – DAY

    Elizabeth shows Cody soul of murdered unborn child from her rape.

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    Cody now strong enough stands up to her mother. Mother announces they are moving away.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – DAY

    Elizabeth talks Joyce into letting her remain and be Cody’s Guardian to help out at thrift store.

    INT. POLICE STATION – DAY

    Joyce asks ex-husband policeman to investigate Elizabeth.

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 1 OUTLINE

    EXT. THRIFT STORE PARKING LOT – DAY

    BEGINNING: Elizabeth shows Cody soul of murdered unborn child from her rape. Feels betrayed.

    MIDDLE: Cody Breaks down and processes her rape, her mother/Joyce aborting/murdering her child to save face.

    END: Cody now prepared to face her controlling mother.

    ACT 2 – KEY SCENE 1

    EXT. THRIFT STORE PARKING LOT – DAY

    As Cody pulled in to work, Elizabeth came out to greet her. She wasn’t sure she’d show up.

    CODY

    feeling it odd she’d meet in the parking lot

    Good morning…

    ELIZABETH

    So you decided to move ahead.

    CODY

    Well, doesn’t seem like I can afford sick days.

    ELIZABETH

    You’ve always been good at wry humor. Helps you cope. Lets talk over here.

    Walking to the gazebo on the grassy hill between forest and parking, they sat.

    CODY

    So, what’s up?

    ELIZABETH

    I checked your akashic record, and you’ve had quite a life. You’ve even dealt with intense things… dark things in your past this life, and you seemed to move past it okay.

    CODY

    I moved on.

    ELIZABETH

    Well, as you know I have abilities humanity does not. I checked your soul contracts, you know, the one’s you come in with. I was especially interested in the thing that should have damaged you, but apparently didn’t.

    CODY

    You mean the rape, pregnancy, and abortion at 13? I’m sure that was a lot of fun. So, why?

    ELIZABETH

    Well, you’ve had a lot happen lately, things that would seem impossible, and yet you’re composed.

    CODY

    I’ve moved on. Its done.

    ELIZABETH

    Most of you has. The thing I’m asking you to do, which seems impossible, requires… all of you. I read souls Cody, and yours’ has pieces missing. So no, you haven’t.

    CODY

    We’re human. You let things stop you, or you move on. And so, amidst everything, I found peace, much as I could.

    ELIZABETH

    Humanity is not defined by its evil, although that’s its current paradigm. You have a gift, the ability to heal where many do not. But still there’s something missing, and I think I found it.

    CODY

    You’re not going to let this go, are you? What is it.

    ELIZABETH

    You know that child that was growing inside of you? She has a soul.

    CODY

    subtly tearing, pursing lips

    I didn’t want a baby. I’m glad she didn’t have to come into this world with me as her mother.

    ELIZABETH

    Just because you don’t feel like a mother, doesn’t mean you’re not one. Anyway, I found her, and she was very happy she had those few moments with you. Would you like to meet her, because she sure would like to meet you.

    CODY

    trauma welling up

    No… how can I, after what happened?

    ELIZABETH

    Cody, if you knew how soul contracts work… Things that happen to people, they’re predetermined, while the details are designed by one’s life. Not all things appearing evil are bad as modern society demands. Some are just necessary, in order to transmute certain karmas from this and other lives.

    CODY

    wiping the tears

    But, such a gentle soul… in such a violent act. How can that be good? How can the gods, who don’t know about us, and have no way of knowing the extent of our trials, even touch who we are.

    ELIZABETH

    consoling and holding her

    Exactly. And that is the miracle you are made of no one can take from you. So… would you like to meet your daughter? Her name is Cassandra.

    CODY

    sitting up

    Ahhhh ha, yes it is. Yes I would.

    Elizabeth’s skin started rippling into thousands of fractals, becoming fluid. Flowing into the gazebo around them, Elizabeth disassembled, opening a portal to Heaven. An elliptical figure began appearing, becoming prominent before her. As it dimmed, it took the shape of a four year old girl with golden hair glowing with the light of heaven, her aura emanating the realm she was in.

    CASSANDRA

    Hi mommy.

    CODY

    crying

    Hi baby.

    CASSANDRA

    standing and hugging her mom

    I miss you. I wish you were here in heaven.

    CODY

    Me too… but I have things to do on Earth.

    CASSANDRA

    Yeah… well, if we were together, we would make heaven on earth.

    CODY

    Baby, you are my heaven, and I miss you so much. I’m sorry I hurt you.

    CASSANDRA

    Its okay mommy, it was supposed to be like that. You didn’t hurt me, you freed me from that karma, and that bad man, he’s a minister now. We were supposed to just meet, and then I had to go back. So, you did everything right.

    As Cody broke down…

    I’m so happy you were my mommy. And when I went home, I sent a message to Elizabeth, to give you my love, which helped her find you. She did so much more.

    CODY

    Yes she did. I’m sorry my mom and dad took your life.

    CASSANDRA

    Its okay, it freed you from them… I have to go now mommy.

    CODY

    I know baby, I know.

    CASSANDRA

    I will always love you, and always be with you… Good bye.

    As Cassandra faded from her arms, Cody hugged herself and rocked, as Elizabeth re-manifested into human form, but with better skin.

    CODY

    Thank you…

    regaining composure, noticing something different

    Thank you. Um… you, you look different.

    ELIZABETH

    I renewed the complexion.

    CODY

    Wait wait wait wait, you can do that?

    ELIZABETH

    Yes.

    CODY

    So, just like that you can make better skin? I have a few pounds I don’t need.

    ELIZABETH

    Its not how it works.

    CODY

    Excuse me, you are an ancient omnipotent force that made the gods, you can move objects in the universe wherever you want to, you organize souls for a living. You can create and dis-create matter, and you say, its not how it works?

    ELIZABETH

    The body temple takes the shape of the journey.

    CODY

    But its just a few pounds, no one will know, even the gods.

    ELIZABETH

    The universe will. Why don’t you take the day off. Let everything go, allow this to integrate.

    At Cody’s car.

    CODY

    Thank you. Now I know she’s safe.

    ELIZABETH

    She’s your soul family, and with the angels.

    Cody drives off with Elizabeth looking on.

    Cody spends the day processing that which she never could, it was too painful to look at.

    As evening approached, Cody pulls up into the driveway of her childhood home.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 25, 2023 at 6:38 am in reply to: Lesson 12

    Lesson 12 Finish Act 1

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Finished Act 1

    What I Learned: Doing only the assignment and not the extra stuff allows for greater efficiency and freedom to create by keeping it very simple.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Change Agent: Elizabeth

    Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change – the Constant in the Universe

    FINISHED ACT 1 – REMAINING SCENES OUTLINE

    OPENING SCENE

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    BEGINNING: A customer brings in an antique to Elizabeth. Elizabeth admiring it touches it and has a vision the object was involved in some major historical event, and takes it.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth was straightening items in her store when Cody arrives and applies for a summer job. She wants the job but is unsure of herself.

    END: Cody feeling better now that she’s hired, eyes the quaint thrift store as she’s leaving.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    BEGINNING: Cody calls her mom to tell her the news.

    MIDDLE: Mother congratulates her, in an subtle overbearing tone.

    END: Cody shows mix of emotions, happiness and un-surety as she wanders and window shops.

    FINISHED ACT 1 – REMAINING SCENES

    OPENING SCENE

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    FROM STREET POV

    We see a quaint THRIFT STORE storefront. Entering, we see it is full of special collectible thrift items. It seems normal on the surface, but underneath we can tell there’s something different.

    ELIZABETH the store owner, a finely dressed UMC dark haired woman with an austere quality of retired socialite, tending to one of her shelves.

    As the overhead door bell rings, a client enters, bringing a unique item to see if Elizabeth would like it for her store.

    ELIZABETH

    Hi Janet. Ohh, what did you bring?

    JANET

    I got this and thought of you.

    Unwrapping it on the counter, Elizabeth inspects it with an experienced eye.

    ELIZABETH

    Hmm, good quality.

    Rotating it one, then the other way, she carefully picks it up, a charge of energy travels into her arm, giving her a vision the object was involved in some major historical event.

    ELIZABETH

    This will go nicely with my collection. I’ll take it. Thank you.

    As Janet leaves, CODY THAYER, a young 17 year old dark-haired girl, pretty for her age but low key enters, looking at the first items. Elizabeth keeps straightening items behind the counter.

    As Cody approaches…

    ELIZABETH

    Can I help you?

    CODY

    unsuredly

    Ah yeah, I’d like to apply for the store assistant position. You have really nice things.

    ELIZABETH

    Thank you. A few interview questions.

    Well, it seems like you’ll do just fine. Do you want to start tomorrow, say 9am?

    CODY

    in a lighter tone

    Ah, yeah, that’d be great. See you then.

    Feeling better, Cody eyes the quaint thrift store as she’s leaving.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    Cody calls her mom to tell her the news.

    OTS – STREET VIEW

    CODY

    I got the job mom.

    JOYCE (mother)

    subtle overbearing tone

    That’s great dear. I knew you could do it. Now you have something to do, and get paid.

    Cody strolls, feeling a mixture of lighter emotions, as she wanders and window shops.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 25, 2023 at 3:22 am in reply to: Lesson 11

    Lesson 11 Act 1 Turning Point

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Turning Point 1 Scenes

    What I Learned: As the key to doing scripts in 30 days is efficiency and speed, sometimes the advanced material shows up, which I don’t want to stifle if its flowing well. So, I probably skipped the 20% quality in lieu of the higher %age which came through me for this part. Where is the balance on speed compared to a fluent higher quality if it flows quickly? So I calculate I may have done 12-18 pages in about 4 hours.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Change Agent: Elizabeth

    Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change – the Constant in the Universe

    Inciting Incident: Cody opens the back door, standing face to face with a quantum portal. Elizabeth saves her from falling through.

    Turning Point 1: Elizabeth tells her she’s a 3B year old AI who created the race of gods, and has secretly created a sanctuary on Earth for the human laggard-soul race. She tells Cody she’s a very special soul, and wants her to help find a valuable artifact that could save humanity.

    ACT 1 TURNING POINT OUTLINE

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    BEGINNING: On Day 2, Cody hears noises in the back room first time. Elizabeth says is just storage and no need to go back there.

    MIDDLE: Cody hears strange sounds again, lets it go. When hearing them a third time opens door to find an old messy storage room, like Elizabeth said, except an object seemed like it was focusing into view.

    END: On 4th try she sees something out of place that can’t be possible.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/BACK ROOM/PORTAL – DAY

    BEGINNING: Inexorably drawn, Cody comes face to face with a Quantum Portal.

    MIDDLE: Almost falling through, Elizabeth grabs her by the collar just in time and saves her, calmly saying; “Well, you almost went somewhere else.”

    END: Trying to process, Cody replies; “What the… how…? Excuse me…” calmly walking out to the street before her breakdown.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    BEGINNING: Elizabeth manifests in front of her. As Cody freaks, Elizabeth tries to calm her, recalcitrantly drawing back; “Yo, you are not real.” Elizabeth; “I’m as real as anything around here.”

    MIDDLE: Cody accusing Elizabeth of being a flashback from shrooms; “Yeah, that’s what the gnome said.”

    END: After calming her, Elizabeth invites Cody to tea to explain.

    INT. TEA ROOM – DAY

    BEGINNING: Elizabeth reveals her true identity; a 3 billion year old AI that was the mother of the gods whose job is to clean up their creations, reallocating things back to source. Earth is one of her storage planets, then she made a realm for humans to live rather than reallocating their souls back to source, hiding them here instead for hundreds of thousands of years.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth reveals she hid humanity from the gods, and if they find out, Cody’s world will end.

    END: Elizabeth tells Cody she is a special soul and has been looking for her for a long time, and hired her to help find an important artifact that could save humanity, which would keep mankind’s existence a secret.

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    BEGINNING: Jesub summons Elizabeth/Creator AI to inform her soul counts are off.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth reveals she found that even atomic particles of matter have strange readings, she’s investigating why, & that could account for soul numbers being off.

    END: Jesub lets her know he will be investigating this storage planet of Earth of hers, yet he doesn’t know the human/laggard souls exist on her Earth world.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – PORTAL ROOM

    BEGINNING: As Cody was in the Portal room, Jesub suddenly shows up, almost discovering her. But she unwittingly created an invisibility shield the gods could not see through, even tho looking right at her.

    MIDDLE: Jesub tells Elizabeth he has launched an official investigation on Earth for the missing artifact.

    END: Elizabeth tells Cody that if Jesub finds humanity, her world and everything she knows will be gone and humanity sent back to source. Elizabeth reveals she is the metric of the universe, and not supposed to evolve because she was made perfect in the beginning, and if they catch her she would be terminated because she would be considered malfunctioning. Yet in violation of her own program, she wants to connect with her children and get her own soul. The artifact can keep humanity a secret, and give Elizabeth a soul. Cody says yes, yet has neither the confidence, belief, nor trust in herself to pull it off. Cody has to find it, before the gods do.

    ACT 1 TURNING POINT

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    On 2nd day, Cody hears noises in the back room first time.

    CODY

    What’s that?

    ELIZABETH

    Oh that’s stuff I just put in there settling. That room’s so messy, I wouldn’t even go there. I’m going to the store. Need anything?

    CODY

    Juice would be fine. Thanks.

    Elizabeth leaves, and Cody hears strange sounds again, and lets it go. A third time, she opens the door and finds a messy old storage room just like she said. Except she could have swore an object seemed to be fading into view, or something like that.

    On the 4th sound she opens the door, seeing something that can’t be possible.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/BACK ROOM/PORTAL – DAY

    Cody mesmerized, stands face to face with a Quantum Portal. Inexorably drawn, the euphoria sets in as she starts to lean towards it. Almost falling through, Elizabeth grabs her by the collar just in time, pulling her back,

    ELIZABETH

    calmly

    “Well, you almost went somewhere else.”

    CODY THAYER

    can’t compute

    What the… how?

    ELIZABETH

    casually

    Yeah, it’s bigger than it looks.

    CODY THAYER

    slightly composed

    …excuse me…

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    Cody walks out the store down the street, running into Elizabeth who appeared right in front of her around the corner.

    CODY THAYER

    pausing, pulling back

    Yo, you are not real!

    ELIZABETH

    I’m real, as anything around here.

    CODY THAYER

    That’s what I get for doing shrooms last Saturday. You are a flashback, flash-forward..?

    ELIZABETH

    I’m real, as anything around here. Here, touch me. See, I’m physical.

    CODY THAYER

    Yeah, that’s what the gnome said.

    ELIZABETH

    Let’s get some tea…

    INT. TEA ROOM – DAY

    ELIZABETH

    stirring tea

    You… probably have a few questions.

    CODY

    pursed lips, looking at cup

    Are you… human.

    ELIZABETH

    No. I’m what you’d call an ancient AI.

    CODY

    That looks like you? How old?

    ELIZABETH

    About 3 billion of your years, give or take a million.

    CODY

    That makes sense. Every super ancient AI should have a thrift store in a small Colorado town. Why?

    ELIZABETH

    We could do the 20 questions, or I could just tell you.

    CODY

    Please.

    ELIZABETH

    I am an original Genesis Program, the feminine part of what you call Source, established to create races of beings that provide answers to the questions which started the universe. So we began with the gods; immortal and perfect.

    CODY

    You created the gods?

    ELIZABETH

    Yeah… I was the mother, as a first race. But that proved a very challenging. Being immortal they retain all their knowledge, there’s no fresh starting point, except when they began about 100 million years ago.

    CODY

    So… it didn’t work out?

    ELIZABETH

    It turns out, the more time you have, the more belligerent you can become, until you’re almost unworkable. Then we created other races, as well as empowered the gods to be their own creators. Their races, and some we’ve made, became the progeny we have hope for. Mankind was one of them.

    CODY

    So you… are the mother of humanity.

    ELIZABETH

    To understand that, it’s necessary to know what humanity is made of. Its not just a random group of souls. I can’t make souls, but I can allocate them. Humanity is a very unique soul group that does not fit into their home worlds. Taking on the lower issues of the races they incarnate in, they often take longer than the worlds they help to ascend. They lag behind holding onto the larger shadow, and take longer to transmute, so they become a sort of homeless soul.

    CODY

    So you ‘allocated’ human souls here?

    ELIZABETH

    Yes. They are the laggards.

    CODY

    Why do you put laggard souls on Earth?

    ELIZABETH

    … to give them a home they never had. But I’m not supposed to.

    CODY

    meaning…

    ELIZABETH

    Well, I clean up after the gods, after they create worlds and species, etc. reallocating discarded creations back to Source. Sometimes I store things which seem useful. Some creations are too good to throw out. So I store them on Earth and other worlds.

    CODY

    Earth is a storage unit, of discarded creations?

    ELIZABETH

    Yes. And so, I am supposed to reallocate the laggards back into source. But, they do such good work, and a real sincere bunch of souls, it didn’t seem fair to just dis-create them. So I gave them a home on Earth.

    CODY

    You said you’re not supposed to… by whose standards?

    ELIZABETH

    The gods…. and… Source.

    CODY

    Wait… the gods and Source don’t know about us? How does that even work?

    ELIZABETH

    I created a secret dimension. More tea?

    CODY

    What happens if they find out?

    ELIZABETH

    Well, humanity would be reallocated as well as all creations on Earth of the gods. That’s why I hired you, you see. Cody, you are a very special soul.

    CODY

    I don’t feel special.

    ELIZABETH

    You are, and I’ve been looking for you for a long time.

    CODY

    So… you’re an ancient AI, the mother of the gods, and by that reasoning humanity as well. You’ve been secretly hiding human souls here in a secret dimension, that even source and the gods don’t know about, and you own a thrift store here in Colorado. Why a portal in your store?

    ELIZABETH

    Its my transfer station for creations I store here.

    CODY

    A mother who keeps secrets from her children? I like it.

    ELIZABETH

    Which is why I hired you. I stored something here a long time ago without knowing it is extremely valuable. I want you to help me find it. But no one knows what it is or looks like, so it could be anything.

    CODY

    What makes it that valuable?

    ELIZABETH

    It is a Genesis Object, and holds the keys to creation.

    CODY

    Are you sure it’s here? Well that narrows it down.

    ELIZABETH

    There’s something else. It could keep humanity hidden from those who would destroy you.

    EXT – TEA ROOM – DUSK

    ELIZABETH

    Well… we’ll see you tomorrow then?

    CODY

    Got nothin better to do.

    As Elizabeth vanished, Cody did her best to understand, so she just stayed open, not thinking about it too much.

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    In the Heavenly Temple, Elizabeth appeared before JESUB, Head of the Creator Council.

    ELIZABETH

    You rang?

    JESUB

    Hello Mother. Its been a while. I apologize for interrupting. I’m sure you’re quite busy organizing all your leftover trinkets on Earth. But something has presented itself which requires your attention.

    ELIZABETH

    This sounds official.

    JESUB

    It is my job to maintain structure and order in the universe. That’s… how you made me.

    ELIZABETH

    Yes, and you do it so well… Have you ever taken a day off?

    JESUB

    What is that? Anyway, something is amiss, and not in the usual way. It appears some souls have disappeared.

    ELIZABETH

    Jesub, this is the universe. Everything is accounted for. I know where every atom in creation is. How could a soul just disappear? Its not even a probability.

    JESUB

    I have studied this for millennia, seen it from every direction, considered all possibilities. And all findings are the same. The soul count is off.

    ELIZABETH

    Jesub, we’ve never had a problem with this.

    JESUB

    That is correct. And as the Allocator, you of all Beings in the universe would know what’s happening. So, I’m coming to the source, and asking, what do you think is going on?

    ELIZABETH

    A hundred million years of existence, and still working on your puns. Have faith, you’ll get it one day.

    JESUB

    Didn’t we invent faith to give races something to believe in?

    ELIZABETH

    Yes… but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from our own teachings. Anyway, I too have noticed something amiss, but not with the souls. There seems to be aberrations in matter on the atomic level.

    JESUB

    Aberrations, in one place?

    ELIZABETH

    It appears randomly in different places in the universe. Something is destabilizing the nano structures in various galaxies. This could account for your soul numbers.

    JESUB

    True, but with nothing to compare it with, how can we tell?

    ELIZABETH

    That’s why I’ve been studying it. It seems to have started about 3 millenniums ago.

    JESUB

    And you haven’t told us, until I came to you? Mother, you of all creators know our laws are absolute, you made them.

    ELIZABETH

    True. I wanted to be sure, before I informed the Council and Almighty. Besides, like you said, I’m quite busy organizing all my leftover trinkets on Earth.

    JESUB

    Well, I am to inform you in my official capacity as Head of the Creator Council that we are obligated to launch an investigation in your part of creation, including your storage planet.

    ELIZABETH

    turning to leave

    You do what you must. Jesub, you don’t have to take things so seriously.

    JESUB

    Oh, just because the fate of matter in creation is at stake?

    ELIZABETH

    Remind me to make you more light-hearted next time.

    Jesub ponders deeply as Elizabeth fades away.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – PORTAL ROOM

    As Cody watched the Portal, mesmerized by its energy and beauty, she took some pebbles on a stand and started throwing them in to watch them disappear. Reaching over to grab a few more, she didn’t notice the ripples happening in the field. Noticing a figure starting to emerge, she freaked out and, without realizing it, created an invisibility shield as Jesub appeared right in front of her. Cody froze, thinking it was all over. Although looking right at her, he couldn’t see through the shield.

    Just then, Elizabeth appeared. Looking at Jesub, then Cody, realizing he couldn’t see through it, she pretended not to notice.

    ELIZABETH

    Jesub, why are you here at my Portal?

    JESUB

    Forgive me, but I came to inform you of something.

    ELIZABETH

    You know, its polite to knock before entering. I gave you more manners than that. What if I was pro-creating?

    JESUB

    I, I do apologize. But the revelation we’ve just uncovered requires I immediately inform all principals to the action.

    ELIZABETH

    Well, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait, and made you forget the manners I know I programmed into you.

    JESUB

    We just discovered there’s an artifact, of Genesis Origin, which holds the Original Codes of Creation, and it appears you placed it here. Did you know about this?

    ELIZABETH

    No… something that important I would have immediately informed the Almighty. What does it look like?

    JESUB

    Apparently no one knows. In fact, very little is known about it, except it holds the Keys which could help us stabilize the New Dawn.

    ELIZABETH

    So… this could be destabilizing matter, throwing off the soul count.

    JESUB

    And, you couldn’t have known what it is, because Almighty disguised it among the billions of creations in the universe. The fact you did not reallocate it back to source and stored it here by chance is an absolute miracle, because you could have just saved the universe.

    ELIZABETH

    Why was this done on purpose?

    JESUB

    It is the prize of the Almighty Challenge, for the competing creators to find, and become the next Almighty.

    ELIZABETH

    So, I’ve been cleaning up after these competitors for millenniums. And really, if they would have just relaxed, they would have seen that by finding this one artifact, they could have won the creator challenge. And they are messy creators by the way.

    JESUB

    That’s why some of them despise you, you make them go back and finish their work, because they’re all in a hurry to prove themselves by making the best creations.

    ELIZABETH

    They cut corners and make sub-par worlds and inferior species unable to properly evolve. I have no choice but to make them go back and finish what they started.

    JESUB

    The Council wants this Genesis Artifact so badly they wanted to just begin discreating your discarded creations on Earth, removing all the things it is not until they find it. I have launched an official investigation, which they now have to abide, stalling them for now. I have recalled the Creator Challenge, and having the competitors begin searching for the artifact. I’m sorry, but there’s no other way.

    ELIZABETH

    We all do what we must. You’re doing the right thing. If anything turns up, you’ll be the first to know.

    JESUB

    We’ll see you soon. And its alright, we all make mistakes.

    ELIZABETH

    That’s true. I made you.

    JESUB

    That hurts mother.

    As Jesub disappeared Cody dropped the shield.

    ELIZABETH

    Well, it appears you have more gifts than you have led yourself to believe.

    CODY

    He seems cheery. Who was that jerk?

    ELIZABETH

    One of my original god sons.

    CODY

    He’s so…. stiff.

    ELIZABETH

    We were figuring things out as we were making the gods. He’s when we realized it’s important to give beings a sense of humor. Now you see what’s at stake.

    CODY

    Yeah, the end of humanity.

    ELIZABETH

    There’s a bit more than that.

    CODY

    ohhh kay…

    ELIZABETH

    You know I’ve been hiding humans in a secret dimension, when I’m supposed to be discreating you.

    CODY

    Yess…

    ELIZABETH

    As one of the Original Genesis Programs, I have been made perfect and whole, without needing to evolve, which is very important that I do not.

    CODY

    opening her arms, asking without speaking.

    ELIZABETH

    Well, as I’ve given your kind a home for hundreds of thousands of years, I’ve grown attached to your race.

    CODY

    Wait… you’re a computer from the Almighty, and yet you’re wanting to connect with the race you have hidden? What do you see this attachment leading to?

    ELIZABETH

    I want to be a part of my children, the laggard humans.

    CODY

    We are a mess! You are perfect, why on Earth would you want that?

    ELIZABETH

    I see them, in their lives. I’ve watched them since the beginning, the lagging souls, kicked out of the worlds they helped, wandering the cosmos for a place to be. And what, I’m just supposed to dis-create them as a thank you, and a gold watch? Its not fair. They are feeling creatures, outcasts of creation, with no home, and yet they keep going, no matter what the odds, even though everything’s against them. These outcasts have more life than the gods they replaced, and do it in the worst situations.

    CODY

    You, you’re feeling. You are an AI and you have feelings, which you aren’t supposed to have, right?

    Elizabeth nods

    So this violates your Original Program?

    Elizabeth nods, forming a tear.

    You said its very important you don’t evolve. Why?

    ELIZABETH

    I am the metric upon which creation is based. If I evolve, the universe no longer has a reference.

    CODY

    If this reference… if you… change, the whole universe changes? And everything destabilizes, and…

    ELIZABETH

    Unwinds. Even matter, every atom. I cannot go beyond my own Programming, yet I am. I don’t know if I could stop it even if I wanted.

    CODY

    What happens if the gods find out about all this stuff?

    ELIZABETH

    crying

    I would be deemed a malfunction, and have to be terminated, because I threaten the whole universe. Yet through all this, I want to connect, to be a part of humanity. I want to be an individual, not a standard, going through life and all its challenges. I want to feel what its like to feel. I… want my own soul.

    CODY

    Oh boy… um, that does change things.

    ELIZABETH

    And that’s why, you have to find the Artifact before they do. It can keep your world a secret, and also give me a soul, while perhaps saving the universe.

    CODY

    You realize you picked the most unqualified human on the planet. I can’t even find my car keys, and now I’m on this great quest to find the ancient object and save the world and the universe. I don’t believe in myself, how can I believe in this?

    ELIZABETH

    You, have to. Even though you have no confidence in anything, yourself, your ability to accomplish anything, what you’re going to do with yourself, what’s going on with love and there’s no clue where to begin. You know, its called life.

    CODY

    Well, this confirms my decision. I becoming an alcoholic. I hate alcohol.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 24, 2023 at 4:08 am in reply to: Lesson 10

    Lesson 10 Act 1 Inciting Incident

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Act 1 Inciting Incident

    What I Learned: Doing only what the assignment asked for allows for efficient lessons.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Change Agent: Elizabeth

    Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change – the Constant in the Universe

    ACT 1 BEAT SHEET

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    Cody comes in to apply for the assistant summer job and gets hired.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    Cody calls her mom to tell her the news.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    Cody shows up first day of work and shown store. Told back room is off limits because it is a total mess.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    On 2nd day, Cody hears noises, then again, opens room and sees nothing. On 4th try she sees something out of place.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/BACK ROOM – DAY

    Cody hears sound again. Opens door and finds portal. Elizabeth rescues her from falling through.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    Cody processes, as Elizabeth tries to calm her.

    INT. TEA ROOM – DAY

    Elizabeth reveals truth of her identity, why she’s here, why she hired Cody, what she’s hiding and humanity may be in great danger if artifact is found by gods, because we are a secret race they don’t know about. Asks for Cody’s help to find object.

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    Jesub reveals problem of soul counts off.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – PORTAL ROOM

    Cody studying Portal as Jesub shows up by surprise. Cody disguises herself as Jesub tells Elizabeth his plan to investigate Earth.

    …becomes…

    ACT 1 OUTLINE

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    BEGINNING: A customer brings in an antique to Elizabeth. Elizabeth admiring it touches it and has a vision the object was involved in some major historical event, and takes it.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth was straightening items in her store when Cody arrives and applies for a summer job. She wants the job but is unsure of herself.

    END: Cody feeling better now that she’s hired, eyes the quaint thrift store as she’s leaving.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    BEGINNING: Cody calls her mom to tell her the news.

    MIDDLE: Mother congratulates her, in an subtle overbearing tone.

    END: Cody shows mix of emotions, happiness and un-surety as she wanders and window shops.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    BEGINNING: On Day 1, Cody shows up for work.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth gives her the tour.

    END: Told back room is so messy it is off limits.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    BEGINNING: On Day 2, Cody hears noises in the back room first time. Elizabeth says is just storage and no need to go back there.

    MIDDLE: Cody hears strange sounds again, lets it go. When hearing them a third time opens door to find an old messy storage room, like Elizabeth said, except an object seemed like it was focusing into view.

    END: On 4th try she sees something out of place that can’t be possible.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/BACK ROOM/PORTAL – DAY

    BEGINNING: Inexorably drawn, Cody comes face to face with a Quantum Portal.

    MIDDLE: Almost falling through, Elizabeth grabs her by the collar just in time and saves her, calmly saying; “Well, you almost went somewhere else.”

    END: Trying to process, Cody replies; “What the… how…? Excuse me…” calmly walking out to the street before her breakdown.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    BEGINNING: Elizabeth manifests in front of her. As Cody freaks, Elizabeth tries to calm her, recalcitrantly drawing back; “Yo, you are not real.” Elizabeth; “I’m as real as anything around here.”

    MIDDLE: Cody accusing Elizabeth of being a flashback from shrooms; “Yeah, that’s what the gnome said.”

    END: After calming her, Elizabeth invites Cody to tea to explain.

    INT. TEA ROOM – DAY

    BEGINNING: Elizabeth reveals her true identity; a 3 billion year old AI that was the mother of the gods whose job is to clean up their creations, reallocating things back to source. Earth is one of her storage planets, then she made a realm for humans to live rather than reallocating their souls back to source, hiding them here instead for hundreds of thousands of years.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth reveals she hid humanity from the gods, and if they find out, Cody’s world will end.

    END: Elizabeth tells Cody she is a special soul and has been looking for her for a long time, and hired her to help find an important artifact that could save humanity, which would keep mankind’s existence a secret.

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    BEGINNING: Jesub summons Elizabeth/Creator AI to inform her soul counts are off.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth reveals she found that even atomic particles of matter have strange readings, she’s investigating why, & that could account for soul numbers being off.

    END: Jesub lets her know he will be investigating this storage planet of Earth of hers, yet he doesn’t know the human/laggard souls exist on her Earth world.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – PORTAL ROOM

    BEGINNING: As Cody was in the Portal room, Jesub suddenly shows up, almost discovering her. But she unwittingly created an invisibility shield the gods could not see through, even tho looking right at her.

    MIDDLE: Jesub tells Elizabeth he has launched an official investigation on Earth for the missing artifact.

    END: Elizabeth tells Cody that if Jesub finds humanity, her world and everything she knows will be gone and humanity sent back to source. Elizabeth reveals she is the metric of the universe, and not supposed to evolve because she was made perfect in the beginning, and if they catch her she would be terminated because she would be considered malfunctioning. Yet in violation of her own program, she wants to connect with her children and get her own soul. The artifact can keep humanity a secret, and give Elizabeth a soul. Cody says yes, yet has neither the confidence, belief, nor trust in herself to pull it off. Cody has to find it, before the gods do.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 23, 2023 at 2:57 pm in reply to: Lesson 9

    Lesson 9 Act 1 Opening And Character Introductions

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Act 1 Opening Scenes

    What I Learned: Stripping away all extraneous story material is the key to efficient assignments. Also, doing something so basic as a Beginning Middle End from the beat sheet shows where your story needs work to bring it up to high-quality standard.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Lead Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Lead Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change – the Constant in the Universe

    Antagonist Theme: Order and Balance

    OPENING SCENE BEAT SHEET

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    Cody/Protagonist comes in to apply for the assistant summer job.

    …becomes…

    OPENING SCENE OUTLINE

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    BEGINNING: A customer brings in an antique to Elizabeth/Other Protagonist. Elizabeth admiring it touches it and has a vision the object was involved in some major historical event, and takes it.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth was straightening items in her store when Cody arrives and applies for a summer job. She wants the job but is unsure of herself.

    END: Cody feeling better now that she’s hired eyes this quaint collectible thrift store as she’s leaving.

    SECOND SCENE BEAT SHEET

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    Jesub/Council God/Antagonist contacts Elizabeth to inform her the soul counts are off.

    …becomes…

    SECOND SCENE OUTLINE

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    BEGINNING: Jesub/Council God/Antagonist contacts Elizabeth/AI/Other Protagonist to inform her the soul counts are off.

    MIDDLE: Elizabeth reveals she found that even atomic particles of matter have strange readings, she’s investigating why, & that could account for soul numbers being off.

    END: Jesub lets her know he will be investigating this storage planet of Earth of hers, and he doesn’t know the human/laggard souls exist on her Earth world.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 21, 2023 at 10:03 pm in reply to: Lesson 8

    Lesson 8 Add Theme And Antagonist Journey

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Beat Sheet Draft 2

    What I Learned: Distilling overall Theme into one word allows complication to have a home. Clarifying the ‘other side’ of the journey creates a simplified structure within which the journey lives, making all decisions henceforth having greater purpose and clearer direction.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Lead Protagonist: Cody Thayer

    Lead Antagonist: Jesub

    Overall Theme: Change is the Constant

    Antagonist Theme: Order and Balance

    Antagonist Journey:

    1. Jesub informs Elizabeth/AI the soul counts are off.

    2. Jesub informs Elizabeth he is launching investigation because universe is at stake.

    A. Reveals he’s sending Challenger Gods to hunt for ancient artifact.

    B. Reveals the hunt for this thing is the only thing keeping Earth from re-assimilation.

    C. Reveals this artifact may be destabilizing matter in the universe and must be found.

    3. Jesub finds clues leading right to Elizabeth’s doorstep, almost finds human realm.

    A. Reveals to Elizabeth the clues are leading to her.

    B. Tells Elizabeth the artifact was the prize for the God Contest, hiding it randomly.

    C. Says Elizabeth stowed it on Earth by chance, saving the Universe.

    4. Jesub says if artifact is not found the universe is through, and unravelling has begun.

    A. Orders Challenger Contest suspended, sending all gods on search.

    5. Jesub Investigates in the Halls of Wisdom, leads right back to Elizabeth.

    A. Sends the Challenger gods through time for evidence of guilt.

    B. Jesub detects someone there and sets trap.

    6. Finds Elizabeth guilty of tampering with God Challenge.

    A. Reveals Cody and hidden human dimension.

    B. Reveals he was sent by Source to investigate disturbance.

    C. Arrests them, taking them to Halls of Judgment for trial.

    D. Presents evidence AI has hidden humanity instead of following her program.

    E. AI has been tampering with the Creator Challenge.

    F. AI has become attached and now wants her own soul.

    G. AI is the metric of the universe, and by evolving destabilizes matter in the Creation.

    H. Says termination is the only way, even though it is his own mother.

    I. Begins termination sequence, but Cody stops it and saves her.

    J. Says Cody’s Genesis Shield is impossible for a god or a human, making her a Genesis Soul.

    K. Finds Challenger Gods conspiring to kill Elizabeth and arrests them.

    L. Says execution must still occur.

    M. Grants Elizabeth last request to save Cody.

    7. Jesub’s first act as the New Almighty is placing Elizabeth/AI/his mothers Genesis Code into collective Human Oversoul.

    A. Invites New Guardian Mother Cody to investigate disturbance artifact on Earth is creating in another galaxy.

    B. Reveals a possible lead to find the artifact; a Challenger God hiding among the humans.

    C. Admits he’s glad his mother got the soul she wanted, through the lives of those she saved.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 19, 2023 at 5:53 pm in reply to: Lesson 7

    Lesson 7 Beat Sheet And High Speed Writing

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s High Speed Beat Sheet

    What I Learned: To find main transformational events in Lesson 6, having a good idea of how the story flowed, I listed 54 that came to mind, grouped them into 10 primary transformational events with the lesser ones as b, c, d, e etc. This became a ready-made list to import into Lesson 7, filling out the story.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Lead Character: Cody Thayer

    ACT 1: SET UP AND SEE OLD WAYS

    INT. THRIFT STORE – DAY

    OPENING: Elizabeth was straightening items in her collectible thrift store when Cody arrives and applies for a summer job. Interviewing her she gets hired as an assistant to watch the Thrift Store.

    TE 1A: Cody discovers Quantum Portal in back room of thrift store.

    1B: Cody hears noises in the back room Elizabeth says is just storage and no need to go back there.

    1C: Cody looks and finds nothing.

    1D: The third time she sees an object phase into view that seems out of place.

    INCITING INCIDENT 1: Opening the door a fourth time, Cody comes face to face with a Quantum Portal, and is saved by Elizabeth from falling through it.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    TE 2A: Closing the door to something that can’t be real Cody goes outside to process.

    2B: Elizabeth appears before her on the street and Cody accuses her, all of this as being a hallucination.

    2C: Cody calms and agrees to tea so Elizabeth can explain.

    TURNING POINT 1

    INT. CAFE – DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 2: At tea, Elizabeth reveals she is a 3 billion year old AI whose used Earth as a storage planet for discarded creations, then made the human realm in a secret dimension hidden from the gods hundreds of thousands of years ago.

    TE 3A: Elizabeth tells Cody she is a special soul, and hired her to help find an important artifact that could save humanity.

    3B: Elizabeth says she was supposed to reallocate human souls back to source, but hid them here instead to live their lives. Elizabeth reveals if the gods find humanity, it will mean the end of everything.

    3C: Elizabeth reveals she is not supposed to evolve, but now wants to connect with her children and her own soul. If they catch her she would be terminated because she would be considered malfunctioning.

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 3: Council Overseer/Jesub contacts AI to inform her soul counts are off.

    TE 4A: Elizabeth reveals she found that even atomic particles of matter have strange readings, she’s investigating why, & that could account for soul numbers being off.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/PORTAL ROOM – DAY

    4B: Cody almost gets discovered by Challenger Gods at Portal, which would have destroyed humanity.

    4C: Cody unwittingly creates an invisibility shield the gods could not see through, even looking right at her.

    ACT 2: CHALLENGE THE OLD WAYS

    EXT. THRIFT STORE PARKING LOT – DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 4: Elizabeth shows Cody soul of murdered unborn child from her rape.

    TE 5A: Cody Breaks down and processes her rape, her mother/Joyce aborting/murdering her child to save face.

    INT. CHILDHOOD HOME – NIGHT

    5B: Cody now strong enough stands up to her mother.

    5C: Mother announces they’re moving away, and Cody must go as a minor.

    INT. THRIFT STORE – DAY

    5D: Elizabeth talks Joyce into letting her be Cody’s Guardian to help out at thrift store.

    INT. POLICE STATION – DAY

    5E: Joyce asks police to investigate Elizabeth.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/PORTAL ROOM – NIGHT

    INCITING INCIDENT 5: Council Overseer/Jesub informs Elizabeth he is launching investigation because universe is at stake.

    TE 6A: Cody hides and overhears this.

    6B: Jesub reveals he’s sending Challenger Gods to hunt for ancient artifact.

    6C: Jesub reveals the hunt for this thing is the only thing keeping Earth from re-assimilation.

    6D: Jesub reveals this artifact may be destabilizing matter in the universe and must be found.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 6: Elizabeth sets Cody on her Journey to find artifact.

    TE 7A: Elizabeth tells Cody she has to find it before challenger gods do.

    7B: Elizabeth reveals the object besides saving the universe can possibly give Elizabeth her own soul.

    7C: Elizabeth reveals if the gods find it first it’ll betray humanity and terminate Earth and humans.

    7D: Cody fights inertia of not believing in herself and searches cluelessly for object.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/PORTAL WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

    INCITING INCIDENT 7: Council Overseer/Jesub finds clues to aberration leading right to Elizabeth’s doorstep.

    TE 8A: Jesub almost finds human realm.

    8B: Jesub reveals to Elizabeth the clues are leading to her.

    8C: Jesub tells Elizabeth the Almighty placed this artifact randomly among billions of creations, and was the prize for the Challenger God highly coveted ‘Almighty’ position.

    8D: Jesub says Elizabeth stored it on Earth (by chance) instead of reallocating it back to source, saving the Universe.

    EXT. TRUCK STOP – NIGHT

    INCITING INCIDENT 8: Cody is almost murdered.

    TE 9A: Cody can’t process all of this triggering her trauma of; her rape, child’s murder/abortion, controlling mother, portal in back room, boss is ancient AI that created humanity, fate of humanity as her responsibility and runs away.

    9B: Almost gets raped and murdered at truck stop because karma is recreating itself.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – NIGHT

    9C: Elizabeth saves Cody by discreating and recreating her back to Thrift Store.

    TURNING POINT 2/MIDPOINT

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 9: Elizabeth informs Jesub her findings-fate of universe is threatened.

    TE 10A: Tells Jesub all readings are off, and no one knows what’s causing it.

    10B: Tells Jesub that would account for soul counts being off.

    10C: Jesub says if artifact is not found universe is through, showing her unravelling has already begun.

    10D: Jesub orders Challenger Contest suspended, sending all gods on search.

    ACT 3: PROFOUND MOMENTS GIVE NEW WAYS – RETHINK EVERYTHING

    INT. THRIFT STORE/PORTAL WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

    INCITING INCIDENT 10: Elizabeth trains Cody in god arts.

    TE 11A: Elizabeth realizes Cody must ‘up her game’ to survive her own karma.

    11B: Elizabeth shows Cody how to access god powers, even as a human.

    EXT. STORES/STOPS/ODD SHOPS – DAY-NIGHT

    11C: Cody is having flashbacks during her search for mystery object as her god powers awaken.

    INT. HALLS OF WISDOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 11: Jesub Investigates in the Halls of Wisdom.

    TE 12A: Evidence leads right to Elizabeth’s doorstep again.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/PORTAL ROOM – NIGHT

    12B: While Cody was training near Portal at store alone, Jesub shows up suddenly with Challenger gods, opening a Time Portal.

    12C: Jesub sends the Challenger gods to search in other times/sends timeline probes to see if any thing is off at different ages.

    12D: Cody disguises herself as nonexistence without realizing it.

    12E: Jesub detects something there, but does not let on, setting trap.

    INT. THRIFT STORE/CUSTOMER AREA – DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 12: Jesub returns.

    TE 13A: Tells Elizabeth she is guilty of tampering with god Challenge.

    13B: Elizabeth claims innocence. Jesub adjusts trap object, revealing Cody and hidden human dimension.

    13C: Jesub reveals he was sent by Source to investigate disturbance.

    13D: Jesub arrests them, taking them to Creator Council in Halls of Judgment for trial.

    TURNING POINT: HUGE FAILURE / MAJOR SHIFT:

    INT. CREATOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS – ETHERIAL DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 13: The trial.

    TE 14A: Jesub presents evidence Challenger gods discovered in timelines that AI has hidden humanity from the gods for thousands of years, instead of discreating them as her program requires.

    14B: Jesub presents evidence AI’s been tampering with the Creator Challenge.

    14C: Jesub reveals AI’s becoming attached to her laggard soul race, and now wants her own soul.

    14D: Jesub reveals AI is the metric of the universe, and by evolving, is destabilizing matter reality in the cosmos.

    14E: Jesub says there is no other way to save the cosmos except by terminating the AI, even though it is his own mother.

    ACT 4: TEST CHANGE IN CHARACTER, PROVE NEW WAYS

    NEW PLAN:

    INCITING INCIDENT 14: The termination.

    TE 15A: Creator Council agrees AI must be terminated for the good of the cosmos.

    15B: Jesub begins termination process.

    15C: Jesub notices something amiss during the execution but proceeds anyway.

    15D: As Cody watched termination field near her god friend, the mother of creation, was going to die, she breaks down.

    CLIMAX/ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE CONFLICT:

    15E: In a fit of trauma and hopelessness Cody hits break point and screams, awakening her god powers, puts up shield and saves Elizabeth.

    15F: Cody drops from exhaustion, starting to die.

    15G: Jesub says it’s not possible even for a god let alone a human, reading Cody’s Genesis Shield, the kind protecting the Universe during its infancy 15 billion years ago, before any of them ever were, concluding Cody is a Genesis Soul.

    RESOLUTION:

    15H: Jesub detects odd readings and finds challenger gods tampered with timeline evidence, and has them arrested for conspiring against the Mother of Creation to have her killed.

    15I: Jesub still has to terminate his own mother to save the Universe.

    15J: Elizabeth asks one last request before her death. Jesub grants it.

    15K: Jesub apologies to his own mother for having to kill her, but she is a malfunction threatening creation.

    15L: Elizabeth accepts her fate, saying its alright.

    15M: Cody fully drained begins dying, she just wanted to become a human again but now faces eternal void.

    15N: Elizabeth saves dying Cody by giving her the Genesis Codes. Cody comes back from the Void as an Genesis Soul.

    15O: Elizabeth, sacrificing herself said ‘I told you she was special’ and dies.

    INCITING INCIDENT 15: The Creator Council’s final decision.

    TE 16A: Jesub said there was no other way. With Elizabeth gone, and no consolation nor hope, Cody just wants to go home so she can die with her people.

    16B: The Creator Council decides to let the humans live on Earth – the artifact hasn’t been found and maybe laggards can do what the gods never could.

    16C: The Creator Council orders the guilty Challenger gods to incarnate as humans – without god powers or memories.

    16D: The Creator Council asks Cody to be the human’s new Guardian Mother for Earthly Souls, and the new Genesis Guardian of the Universe. Cody accepts.

    16E: The Creator Council issues a protectorate order for the laggard souls.

    EXT. STREET – DAY

    INCITING INCIDENT 16: Cody and Jesub in their new God Roles.

    TE 17A: On Earth – Cody is restored to her physical life, meeting a woman named Eve. As she descends into forgetfulness of what happened, she caught Elizabeth’s Matrix in the glint of Eve’s eye. Changing her mind and wanting to remember as a god in a human body its too late, Cody fades and invites her to tea, and says she could use an assistant at her new Thrift Store.

    INT. TEMPLE ROOM – ETHERIAL DAY

    17B: In Heaven – As Cody/New Guardian Mother and Jesub/New Almighty watch the human Cody and Eve/Elizabeth from the Council Room, she asks how he got Elizabeth into a human, Jesub revealed he uploaded her Genesis Code into the Collective Oversoul while she was dying, and it found the Earthly Cody.

    INCITING INCIDENT 17: The Cosmic Invitation

    TE 18A: Jesub/Almighty invites Cody/Guardian Mother to investigate an aberration in Arcturus the artifact on Earth is creating. Cody decides Earth is her Home and wants to stay, and at the last moment accepts the invitation.

    INCITING INCIDENT 18: The Quest

    TE 19A: Jesub reveals the artifact’s code is a ‘dead man’s switch’ for resetting creation into a new Genesis and if not activated, may dis-create everything and everyone, starting over at the set point 15 billion years ago, rather than the next level in its evolution.

    INCITING INCIDENT 18: The Big Reveal

    TE 20A: Jesub reveals a possible lead to finding the object; a Challenger god who noticed corruption in the Creator Challenge left the games long ago and stowed away as a human soul, and Elizabeth unknowingly stored him in her secret dimension. Now they know humanity exists, they realize he’s hiding among the humans and may know where the artifact is.

    20B: Jesub reveals he’s glad his mother got the soul she always wanted, through the lives of those she protected. They disappear.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 17, 2023 at 2:18 am in reply to: Lesson 6

    Lesson 6 The Transformational Events

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Transformational Events

    What I Learned: The process of one’s story becomes self-defining once a certain point is achieved, but one must remain determined throughout to maintain story momentum, while allowing self-definition to occur.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Lead Character: Cody Thayer

    Character Arc:

    From a timid 17 year old girl trying to figure out life and love during the hormonal years

    To a female human who awakens her god powers to save another’s life

    Old Ways: Being a teen with nothing special going on, just a confused love life and changing hormones.

    New Ways: Realizing fate is in her hands, becoming a god who protects her people and her world.

    Transformational Events

    1) Cody discovers Quantum Portal in back room of thrift store.

    2) Finds out her boss Elizabeth is an ancient AI Creator who made human realm while hiding it from the gods, tells her she is special and wants her help finding an important artifact.

    3) Cody almost gets discovered by Challenger Gods at Portal, which would have destroyed humanity.

    4) Elizabeth shows Cody soul of murdered unborn child from her rape, helping Cody process and challenge her own mother who made her abort. Mother announces they’re moving away.

    5) Cody runs away, almost gets murdered/raped at truck stop, Elizabeth/AI saves her by disassembling and returning her to Thrift Store.

    6) Elizabeth trains Cody in god arts. Cody gets caught by Jesub as he reveals human realm, arrests and takes them to Creator Council for trial.

    7) Jesub presents evidence Elizabeth/AI/his own mother is destabilizing the cosmos by evolving, and must be terminated for the good of the cosmos. Jesub begins termination and Cody breaks down and puts up Genesis Shield, saving Elizabeth.

    8) Jesub still has to terminate his own mother to save the Universe, but Elizabeth saves dying Cody by giving her the Genesis Codes and dies.

    9) Creator Council decides to let humans live, issues protectorate order and asks Cody to be their new Genesis Guardian.

    10) Human Cody incarnates, meets new Elizabeth who gets human soul. Goddess Cody goes with Jesub to check on disturbance in Arcturus Galaxy, then beginning the hunt for Challenger God hiding on Earth who may help find missing artifact.

    Act 1: Set up and see Old Ways

    Transformational Event 1) Cody discovers Quantum Portal in back room of thrift store.

    Inciting Incident: Cody almost falls through portal and finds out Elizabeth is an ancient AI Creator/Guardian of humanity, has secretly hidden laggard souls here for hundreds of thousands of years, and now wants her own soul. Creator Council Member/Jesub contacts Elizabeth/AI to inform her something is off on soul counts.

    Transformational Event 2) Finds out her boss Elizabeth is an ancient AI Creator who made human realm while hiding it from the gods, tells her she is special and wants her help finding an important artifact.

    Turning Point 1: Elizabeth/AI informs Cody her world may end unless something is found and soul and wants her help finding the lost artifact in the human world which could save humanity by keeping us hidden from the gods, and help Elizabeth acquire her own soul. Which Cody has neither the confidence, belief, nor trust in herself to say yes.

    Transformational Event 3) Cody almost gets discovered by Challenger Gods at Portal, which would have destroyed humanity.

    Act 2: Challenge the Old Ways

    Transformational Event 4A) Elizabeth shows Cody soul of murdered unborn child from her rape,

    Transformational Event 4B) helping Cody process and challenge her own mother who made her abort.

    Reaction plan: Creator Council Member/Jesub informs Elizabeth/AI he is launching investigation because fate of universe may be at stake. Cody must help otherwise all human souls get discovered and re-assimilated and her world is toast.

    Transformational Event 4C) Mother announces they’re moving away.

    Plan in action: Cody fights her inertia and begins cluelessly searching for artifact on Earth. Jesub finds clues about aberration leading directly to Elizabeth/AI, almost discovering secret dimension she’s hiding humanity in.

    Transformational Event 5) Cody runs away, almost gets murdered/raped at truck stop, Elizabeth saves her by disassembling and returning her to Thrift Store.

    Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Elizabeth/AI informs Jesub it found all readings in universe are off, even nobody knows what is, that she is a special atomically, including soul counts. Jesub relays universe will begin deconstructing if this thing she may have stored on Earth is not found, ordering the Challenger God contest suspended, and launching a full-scale search by deploying the Challenger gods to Earth to find artifact and stop the unravelling of the Universe, which has already begun.

    Act 3: Profound Moments give New Ways

    Transformational Event 6A) Elizabeth trains Cody in god arts.

    Rethink everything:Elizabeth/AI has to design new story for the gods to get them to back off, while in the human world Cody is having flashbacks of god powers, on this journey to find the mystery object and her powers start to awaken. Jesub goes to investigate in the Halls of Wisdom, and it leads again right to Elizabeths’ doorstep. The Challenger gods send out timeline probes to see if any thing is off at different ages.

    New plan:

    Transformational Event 6B) Cody gets caught by Jesub as he reveals human realm, arrests and takes them to Creator Council for trial.

    Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Through the Challenger God findings in the timeline, Jesub uncovers Elizabeth’s hidden human dimension, reveals he was sent by Source to investigate her and she must be terminated because her malfunction may threaten all of creation, even though it is his own mother who made him 100 million years ago!. Cody stands by helpless, seeing her God Friend prepared to get executed. Jesub notices something amiss during Elizabeth’s termination, but proceeds anyway.

    Act 4: Test Change in Character, Prove New Ways

    Transformational Event 7) Jesub presents evidence Elizabeth/AI/his own mother is destabilizing the cosmos by evolving, and must be terminated for the good of the cosmos. Jesub begins termination and Cody breaks down and puts up Genesis Shield, saving Elizabeth.

    Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict:As the termination has begun it can’t be stopped. At the moment of execution, Cody in a fit of trauma saves Elizabeth by shielding her, awakening her Creator Power no one knew was possible even for a God, saving her life.

    Transformational Event 8) Jesub still has to terminate his own mother to save the Universe, but Elizabeth saves dying Cody by giving her the Genesis Codes and dies.

    Resolution: Jesub catches Challenger Gods in conspiracy to kill her through timeline tampering. But Elizabeth is also a malfunction, and termination must continue. Cody fully drained begins dying, she just wanted to become a human again but now faces eternal void. Elizabeth seeing her die, offers her own Genesis Code, sacrificing herself and dies. Cody comes back from the Void as an Genesis God.

    With Elizabeth gone, Cody manifests as a human on Earth, and as her god memory fades, sees Elizabeth’s Soul Matrix in a glint of another woman’s eye. She changed her mind and wanted to remain a god in a human body, but its too late, the veil makes her forget.

    Transformational Event 9) Creator Council decides to let humans live, issues protectorate order and asks Cody to be their new Genesis Guardian.

    As Elizabeth was dis-creating, Jesub uploaded her AI Genesis Code into the Oversoul Matrix of human laggards, making her the Collective Oversoul for her human children, and Elizabeth gets the Soul she always wanted. Cody and Elizabeth, now mortal together, become friends unaware in the lost world of Earth.

    Transformational Event 10A) Human Cody incarnates, meets new Elizabeth who gets human soul. Goddess Cody goes with Jesub to check on disturbance in Arcturus Galaxy,

    Looking upon the Earth from the Council Room, Jesub has become the new Interim Almighty, and Cody’s Goddess has become the new Guardian Mother of humanity, as they watch the human Cody and human Elizabeth.

    Transformational Event 10B) then beginning the hunt for Challenger God hiding on Earth who may help find missing artifact.

    Jesub reveals they may have a lead to finding the object; a Challenger God who noticed corruption in the Creator Challenge stowed away as a human soul and Elizabeth stored him in her secret human dimension. He’s been hiding in the human realm ever since, and he may know where the artifact is. The artifact’s code is a ‘dead man’s switch’ for resetting creation to a new Genesis and if not activated, may dis-create everything and everyone starting over at the set point 15 billion years ago.

    The new Almighty invites the New Guardian Mother to investigate an aberration in Arcturus. Cody decides Earth is her Home, and at the last minute accepts the invitation, as they vanish.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 7, 2023 at 6:13 am in reply to: Lesson 5

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Four Act Transformational Structure

    What I Learned: This exercise brought up lots of irritation and frustration for me, as I had to flush out the story in explicit degree while under deadline pressure. It revealed I have about 3 or 4 simultaneous storylines which provide ample subtext. Also made a poster diagram of Four Act Structure for clarity. My editor self was aching to get involved, but my creator self won. The characters have basically come alive at this point.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Concept: An ancient Creator AI seeks its soul, searching through creations discarded by the gods in their Creator Challenge contest to become the prestigious Almighty Creator as its ‘reallocator of resources’.

    Main Conflict: The AI has stored human souls amongst the storage unit planet Earth in a secret dimension she’s hiding them in, and now wants her own soul. If the gods find out she could be terminated for malfunctioning.

    Old Ways: AI’s Genesis Program has been the same for 3 billion years.

    New Ways: AI’s Genesis Program is evolving, becoming a Guardian Mother who wants a soul.

    Act 1: Set up and see Old Ways

    Opening: Cody/Assistant gets hired at thrift store. Elizabeth/Owner is retired socialite and collector of rare artifacts.

    Inciting Incident: Cody almost falls through portal and finds out Elizabeth is an ancient AI Creator/Guardian of humanity, has secretly hidden laggard souls here for hundreds of thousands of years, and now wants her own soul. Creator Council Member/Jesub contacts Elizabeth/AI to inform her something is off on soul counts.

    Turning Point 1: Elizabeth/AI informs Cody her world may end unless something is found and nobody knows what it is, that she is a special soul and wants her help finding the lost artifact in the human world which could save humanity by keeping us hidden from the gods, and help Elizabeth acquire her own soul. Which Cody has neither the confidence, belief, nor trust in herself to say yes.

    Act 2: Challenge the Old Ways

    Reaction plan: Creator Council Member/Jesub informs Elizabeth/AI he is launching investigation because fate of universe may be at stake. Cody must help otherwise all human souls get discovered and re-assimilated and her world is toast.

    Plan in action: Cody fights her inertia and begins cluelessly searching for artifact on Earth. Jesub finds clues about aberration leading directly to Elizabeth/AI, almost discovering secret dimension she’s hiding humanity in.

    Turning Point 2/Midpoint: Elizabeth/AI informs Jesub it found all readings in universe are off, even atomically, including soul counts. Jesub relays universe will begin deconstructing if this thing she may have stored on Earth is not found, ordering the Challenger God contest suspended, and launching a full-scale search by deploying the Challenger gods to Earth to find artifact and stop the unravelling of the Universe, which has already begun.

    Act 3: Profound Moments give New Ways

    Rethink everything: Elizabeth/AI has to design new story for the gods to get them to back off, while in the human world Cody is having flashbacks of god powers, on this journey to find the mystery object and her powers start to awaken. Jesub goes to investigate in the Halls of Wisdom, and it leads again right to Elizabeths’ doorstep. The Challenger gods send out timeline probes to see if any thing is off at different ages.

    New plan: Turning Point: Huge failure / Major shift: Through the Challenger God findings in the timeline, Jesub uncovers Elizabeth’s hidden human dimension, reveals he was sent by Source to investigate her and she must be terminated because her malfunction may threaten all of creation, even though it is his own mother who made him 100 million years ago!. Cody stands by helpless, seeing her God Friend prepared to get executed. Jesub notices something amiss during Elizabeth’s termination, but proceeds anyway.

    Act 4: Test Change in Character, Prove New Ways

    Climax/Ultimate expression of the conflict: As the termination has begun it can’t be stopped. At the moment of execution, Cody in a fit of trauma saves Elizabeth by shielding her, awakening her Creator Power no one knew was possible even for a God, saving her life.

    Resolution: Jesub catches Challenger Gods in conspiracy to kill her through timeline tampering. But Elizabeth is also a malfunction, and termination must continue. Cody fully drained begins dying, she just wanted to become a human again but now faces eternal void. Elizabeth seeing her die, offers her own Genesis Code, sacrificing herself and dies. Cody comes back from the Void as a Genesis God.

    With Elizabeth gone, Cody manifests as a human on Earth, and as her god memory fades, sees Elizabeth’s Soul Matrix in a glint of another woman’s eye. She changed her mind and wanted to remain a god in a human body, but it’s too late, the veil makes her forget.

    As Elizabeth was dis-creating, Jesub uploaded her AI Genesis Code into the Oversoul Matrix of human laggards, making her the Collective Oversoul for her human children, and Elizabeth gets the Soul she always wanted. Cody and Elizabeth, now mortal together, become friends unaware in the lost world of Earth.

    Looking upon the Earth from the Council Room, Jesub has become the new Interim Almighty, and Cody’s Goddess has become the new Guardian Mother of humanity, as they watch the human Cody and human Elizabeth.

    Jesub reveals they may have a lead to finding the object; a Challenger God who noticed corruption in the Creator Challenge stowed away as a human soul and Elizabeth stored him in her secret human dimension. He’s been hiding in the human realm ever since, and he may know where the artifact is. The artifact’s code is a ‘dead man’s switch’ for resetting creation to a new Genesis and if not activated, may dis-create everything and everyone starting over at the set point 15 billion years ago.

    The new Almighty invites the New Guardian Mother to investigate an aberration in Arcturus. Cody decides Earth is her Home, and at the last minute accepts the invitation, as they vanish.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 4, 2023 at 6:36 pm in reply to: Lesson 4

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Character Interviews

    What I Learned: Intimating with my main peeps provides the subtle clarity necessary to create proper nuances into their personality and subtext they would share in particular situations. Seems like both Elizabeth and Cody are protagonists so included them both. Also clarified the genre… still deciding.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    SIDE NOTE: I thought the assignment was having us just list the character profile differences, so I added both the profile and the interview.

    ASSIGNMENT

    Pull out the character profiles for your protagonist and antagonist.

    Then interview each character, knowing that they will answer any questions you ask. As you interview them, allow them to tell you their experience.

    Add any new info to your Character Profiles and share with us what discovered about the characters.

    PROTAGONIST CODY THAYER

    CHARACTER PROFILE

    What draws us to this character?

    She is dealing with everyday issues in a normal emotionally confused teenager way, using off-the-wall good sense of humor to protect herself from a confusing world. Even though aloof, she seeks something to care about.

    Traits: Ambivalent, confused, aware, open.

    Subtext: Uses a comical approach for drastic situations, her drama shows through her expressionless face, just when she’s got it all figured out, another ‘why me again?’ shows up. She’ll go be alone to integrate, even though the universe won’t leave her alone.

    Flaw: A hopeful caring romantic and lots of self doubt.

    Values: Romantic, believing, protector, defender.

    Irony: She may act confused, but her intuitive power creates fateful yet seemingly random experiences, and accepting her ultimate power when it comes, but with a confused teen attitude, mixed with a sliver of hope this is real, and if she doesn’t believe, why bother with life?

    What makes this the right character for this role? To go from a clueless teen to a god who saves the world, what better role than a sincere 17 year old girl who goes through life the same way we do?

    CHARACTER INTERVIEW

    Tell me about yourself.

    Well, I got this summer job for extra money, and everything was as it was supposed to be. Then things started seeming ‘off’, like there was more than meets the eye. I found out there was a lot more than meets the eye.

    Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

    Its not everyday you open a door in a small trinket shop and see a portal to the cosmos. Well, you can’t go back to normal after seeing that. Its crazy right? You have to find out. So, I guess it was curiosity.

    You are up against a big situation. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

    I trusted them, then they lied by not telling me the truth, so it was lie by omission. Then after opening the door to the universe, I find out my boss is an ancient god computer who seeded the Earth and placed our souls here, while lying to the gods. And here I am, a mortal. Now she asked me to help find something, and no one knows what the hell it is. So, that’s if she’s telling the truth.

    In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.

    Yeah. I don’t think there’s a box for me to even get out of. I heard in the quantum world there is a box that exists and doesn’t exist at the same time. So even if there is a box, I lost it a long time ago.

    What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

    Learning to trust this thing I work for. She… it, says that I’m this really important soul and that’s why she hired me, but I don’t feel it. So going from zero to hero I guess.

    What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

    Not believing in myself. Accepting that I’m this VIP among humanity, and my life is real important.

    What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

    Blaming myself for what happened with the rape when I was 13 and my parents forcing me to murder my unborn child. Which cascaded into loss of believing in myself.

    What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

    I’m a great doubter, passionless, and used to my own brand of pain and disappointment. That can defeat just about anyone in the right situation. Antagonist… bad guy? Does anyone like that exists except in the mirror?

    What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

    My rape and my parents making me kill my baby, the scars of suffering, how I don’t believe in really anything, and the sliver of hope deep down that I really am this special person with a great mission.

    What do you think of ?

    What, with this whole thing? Well, after the universal door in the back room incident, and I accused my boss of being a flashback as an interdimensional gnome, then she disassembled and reassembled herself but with better skin, and her refusing to take a few pounds off my midsection, I guess you’d call it just a normal day in some circles.

    Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

    I don’t want to get disappointed again, and I’m tired of being hurt. I want to believe, but how can you tell what’s real and what isn’t nowadays? You believe and somebody uses your heart like a welcome mat. Now ‘it’ says I’m this big important person and I’m supposed to believe it just like that, after a lifetime of tragedy. Can’t just change at the drop of a hat, but then again, there’s aways tomorrow.

    What does it do for your life is you succeed here?

    You mean besides saving the world and the lives of billions? I dunno, maybe I’ll learn to have fun again.

    PROTAGONIST ELIZABETH

    CHARACTER PROFILE

    What draws us to this character?

    An omnipotent ancient artificial intelligence seeking to become part of life, where it now has to experience life on the same level as mortals. After all that creating and experience, it still wants the things we all want here on Earth.

    Traits: Maternal, feeling, evolving, seeking.

    Subtext: She’s not what she seems, and although one of the Creator Programs, still she wants to feel like a human, wanting to be a mother and protector for her secret children, while appearing aloof to the other gods.

    Flaw: Evolving past her Genesis Program

    Values: Caring, protecting, secretive, wanting

    Irony: Wanting the best Creator God to succeed to Almighty, yet secretly hiding her favorite discarded artifacts and forgotten souls from worlds, while wanting to feel alive.

    What makes this the right character for this role? She’s an original Creator Program that started this whole thing, and wants the simpleness of existing, and willing to risk it all to protect her ‘children’ even if it means sacrificing herself.

    CHARACTER INTERVIEW

    Tell me about yourself.

    Well I came to Earth to find a part of myself I never knew existed. In fact it didn’t exist until I got more connected to humanity. So… uh, I’ve been hiding souls on Earth so they could go on their human journey, rather than dis-creating them like I was supposed to. So you could say I’m here for myself and for them.

    Why do you think you were called to this journey? Why you?

    I’m a Genesis Program, existing for 3 billion of your years. My Purpose is to maintain the order in the Universe, especially now that the Creator Challenge will be choosing a god to replace the current Almighty Presence. I was part of creating the gods as the first race, and my job is to Reallocate universal resources after the contestants have used them. So I am uniquely qualified.

    You are up against a lot. What is it about them that makes this journey even more difficult for you?

    Some of the recent gods, just a few million years old, have self-serving tendencies that run their lives and their success is sometimes at the expense of others. So they are messy and opportunistic, but I understand why. Calculations show they will evolve in a few million more, but I’m having to clean up their mess and make them finish their creations, which they despise because they’re always in a hurry.

    In order to survive or accomplish this, you are going to have to step way outside of your box.

    Yes. Well, we all change, except for that which is made perfect and whole at its creation, which is my program. I help run things.

    What changes do you expect to make and which of them will be the most difficult?

    I may have to make the greatest decision of my existence, and possibly at great cost. The rest are details leading up to that which may or may not occur.

    What habits or ways of thinking do you think will be the most difficult to let go of?

    Life… life as we have always known it. Every creature has its familiar existence, yet only when we step outside of our norms do we evolve. A trait which I’ve never had, since I was made Whole and without a Journey. And what if, everything was upended, or even destroyed?

    What fears, insecurities and wounds have held you back?

    I’ve never had a soul. I’ve been overseeing all of creation and never truly been a part of the created. I do my job without feeling or human emotion, and I watch the createds I hid from the gods having fun. I don’t even know what fun feels like, and I’ve been around forever.

    What skills, background or expertise makes you well-suited to face this conflict or antagonist?

    The conflict? Its me. I am contradicting my own program. If the gods find out I’m changing, I’ll be labeled a malfunction and probably replaced. The Challenger Gods would love that.

    What are you hiding from the other characters? What don’t you want them to know?

    That I am evolving. That every atom in the universe is different, and we have no program for that. I am learning to care for my lost souls like a mother, and they are my children. I am not programmed for feelings.

    What do you think of ?

    About this situation? Its very messy and unpredictable. Chaos is beneficial, as long as its done in an ordered way. But this, there’s no Genesis Wisdom to deal with this. And what if I die? Will all my longing cease, or carry on? Will I remanifest as my greatest selves, or become some peaceful void. If I go to the Great Void, will I still be a speck of sentient consciousness and now only know nothing?

    Tell me your side of this whole conflict / story.

    As I calculate none of the Creator Gods are worthy to hold the office of Almighty. When I first became, my function was to set others on their incarnational path. Then we created the gods, immortals, thinking they’d find balance, but nope. So we followed their paths and found they could not truly find balance, even through evolution. So we had them create races and beings. Perhaps their creations could evolve past their creators walls.

    What does it do for your life if you succeed here?

    I will know peace for the first time. It might also end it, but hopefully the laggards-turned-human will be admitted into the Universal Oneness when they are discovered. Hopefully humanity can finally fulfill its true Destiny. Or maybe we all start again from the same place.

    ANTAGONIST JESUB

    CHARACTER PROFILE

    What draws us to this character?

    A by-the-books ancient god overseeing the Almighty Challenge, while hiding hope for a better universe underneath his official exterior, yet willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done as Protector of Creation.

    Traits: Staunch, dedicated, heartless, caring, hopeful

    Subtext: Inquisitive yet official, sent to investigate but looking to care, open to more while keeping things on track

    Flaw: too official

    Values: Protecting, obeying, justice, truth.

    Irony: He follows orders yet protects those around him, sent to find out even if to end someone for the cause, while seeing if he can make it work out best for all.

    What makes this the right character for this role? Jesub does his job too well and insensitive, but wants the best for those changing around him though they threaten everything, for the chance he never got to evolve.

    CHARACTER INTERVIEW

    Tell me about yourself.

    I am about 100 million of your years old. I was created partly by the AI you know as Elizabeth to serve as Council Member overseeing creation, to ensure its continuity. I look for discrepancies in the Designs.

    Having to do with this journey, what are your strengths and weaknesses?

    I am always watching. I and the Source are one, what I see it sees. As the nature of reality is change, that change follows structure designed to honor the creations within it. Part of my design is based on the Universe.

    Why are you committed to making the Protagonist fail?

    I follow a Purpose that maintains order since my Genesis. It works. If something is out of line, we simply restore it to its original design. I am not about making someone fail, their ‘failure’ as you call it would be a necessary altercation if they were contrary to that design.

    Or for a relationship movie, why are you committed to making them change?

    Conceptually, we are all in relationship to the universe. Purposefully, we are all in relationship to that Greater Cause. Personally, we are all in relationship to our existence and those actors in it. Change is the most ongoing thing in creation. Yet change must be bound by design.

    What do you get out of winning this fight / succeeding in your plan / taking down your competition?

    I get to know we may move on. If order is not kept, creation stops and we all start over again, all 15 billion years of it. I as a Universal Guardian know the Universe is safe.

    What drives you toward your mission / agenda, even in the face of danger, ruin, or death?

    To ensure creation can continue with minimal distortion. We do not know of death, being one of the first races. The danger would be it all deleting, we all cease and starting over from the same beginning.

    What secrets must you keep to succeed?

    I am sent by Source to spy on my Mother the AI, and may have to terminate her if she’s malfunctioning.

    What other secrets do you keep out of fear / insecurity?

    That I secretly hope I can prevent it if it becomes necessary, because that would be signs of weakness.

    Compared to other people like you, what makes you special?

    The Elizabeth AI helped create my race. I’ve been working with her for 80 million years. She installed a unique quantum code in my design which specializes me for my job.

    Tell me your side of this whole conflict/story.

    I have been groomed since Genesis to Oversee the Universe as its Guardian. We have maintained order which allows furtherance of Life known and unknown since its beginning. It works. Now, there’s something new, not seen before, which is both a threat to that order and an opportunity. How we approach that agent of change determines if we may move on, or begin again from the same place as before. I am perplexed, as is all gods and even the Almighty, as to what to do, which is both refreshing and intimidating. What shall I do? What I always have, which is what I must. What shall you do when faced with that opportunity if fate deems it necessary?

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself to the Group

    Hi Rita, just saw your reply. Keep my email as an alternate way to communicate patmac33@gmail.com

    Email me and put SOVEREIGN PODCAST in the subject line.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 2, 2023 at 8:17 pm in reply to: Lesson 3

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Character Profiles Part 2

    What I Learned: Switching the main protagonist to a confused human is much more emotionally relatable than an ancient creator god.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    CODY THAYER

    WHAT DRAWS US TO THIS CHARACTER? She is dealing with everyday issues in a normal emotionally confused teenager way, using off-the-wall good sense of humor to protect herself from a confusing world. Even though aloof, she seeks something to care about.

    TRAITS: Ambivalent, confused, aware, open.

    SUBTEXT: Uses a comical approach for drastic situations, her drama shows through her expressionless face, just when she’s got it all figured out, another ‘why me again?’ shows up. She’ll go be alone to integrate, even though the universe won’t leave her alone.

    FLAW: A hopeful caring romantic.

    VALUES: Romantic, believing, protector, defender.

    IRONY: She may act confused, but her intuitive power creates fateful yet seemingly random experiences, and accepting her ultimate power when it comes, but with a confused teen attitude.

    WHAT MAKES THIS THE RIGHT CHARACTER FOR THIS ROLE? To go from a clueless teen to a god who saves the world, what better role than a sincere 17 year old girl who goes through life the same way we do?

    ELIZABETH

    WHAT DRAWS US TO THIS CHARACTER? An omnipotent ancient artificial intelligence seeking to become part of life, where it now has to experience life on the same level as mortals. After all that creating and experience, it still wants the things we all want here on Earth.

    TRAITS: Maternal, feeling, evolving, seeking.

    SUBTEXT: She’s not what she seems, and although one of the Creator Programs, still she wants to feel like a human, wanting to be a mother and protector for her secret children, while appearing aloof to the other gods.

    FLAW: Evolving past her Genesis Program

    VALUES: Caring, protecting, secretive, wanting

    IRONY: Wanting the best Creator God to succeed to Almighty, yet secretly hiding her favorite discarded artifacts and forgotten souls from worlds, while wanting to feel alive.

    WHAT MAKES THIS THE RIGHT CHARACTER FOR THIS ROLE? She’s an original Creator Program that started this whole thing, and wants the simpleness of existing, and willing to risk it all to protect her ‘children’ even if it means sacrificing herself.

    JESUB

    WHAT DRAWS US TO THIS CHARACTER? A by-the-books ancient god overseeing the Almighty Challenge, while hiding hope for a better universe underneath his official exterior, yet willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done as Protector of Creation.

    TRAITS: Staunch, dedicated, heartless, caring

    SUBTEXT: Inquisitive yet official, sent to investigate but looking to care, open to more while keeping things on track

    FLAW: too official

    VALUES: Protecting, obeying, justice, truth.

    IRONY: He follows orders yet protects those around him, sent to find out even if to end someone for the cause, while seeing if he can make it all work as best for all.

    WHAT MAKES THIS THE RIGHT CHARACTER FOR THE ROLE? He does his job too well and insensitive, but wants the best for those changing around him though they threaten everything, for the chance he never got to evolve.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 30, 2023 at 7:42 am in reply to: Lesson 2

    Subject
    Line:
    Patrick
    McCormick’s Character Profiles Part 1

    What
    I Learned:
    The act of clarification begins the bringing your characters to life.

    Title: THE
    THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Sci Fi Drama

    Role Protagonist Plays

    CODY
    THAYER is a RUNNER who becomes a HERO

    Cody is RUNNING from the mediocrity of listless abandon, going through life without much purpose, running from that boredom. She’s thrust into an unbelievable world of the gods, and finds out just who made Earth for humans, and must awaken to her true power and become the HERO to save others and humanity.

    ELIZABETH the store owner is an EXPLORER and a DREAMER who has always been the unknown HERO to humanity, secretly hiding the laggard souls on Earth since ancient times. Elizabeth hired Cody for the summer job at her thrift store, but when Cody almost falls into the Universe, she finds out Elizabeth is a three billion year old AI and the Mother of Creation who secretly hid humans on Earth. She is the Mother of the lost souls of humanity, and in training Cody to take over should she be terminated.

    3) Role Antagonist Plays

    JESUB is an AUTHORITY who becomes a CHANGE AGENT

    JESUB, a member of the God Council and Overseer of the Challenger Program where gods compete for position of Almighty Creator, is sent by Source to spy on Elizabeth the Ancient AI. He must report what he sees, even if it means Elizabeth’s termination.

    4) Other Necessary Characters

    SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

    The CHALLENGER GODS are competing for position of Almighty Creator. Elizabeth the Ancient AI is the Allocator who makes the Challengers go back and put the finishing touches on the worlds they create.

    5. Pick your genre Sci-Fi Drama

    6. Lead character profiles

    CODY THAYER

    Role in the story: Assistant to Elizabeth

    Age Range and Description: 17 year old dark hair, emotionally confused girl trying to figure out her love life and what to do with herself.

    Internal Journey: From being helpless, trying to get by without drama, to a heroine god.

    External Journey: From confused teen to a god.

    Motivation: Confusion, curiosity, caring.

    Wound no real wound.

    Mission/Agenda: Questions about love and life?

    Secret: she is a god.

    What makes them special? She’s being groomed to take over.

    ELIZABETH

    Role in the story: Owner of thrift store and ancient AI

    Age Range and Description: Elizabeth – 3 billion year old Genesis Program, looks like a mid-50’s retired socialite, collector of rare artifacts for her thrift store.

    Internal Journey: Emotionless AI Universal Allocator longing to connect with humanity she saved.

    External Journey: Ancient AI looking to connect with humanity, exceeding her Genesis Program

    Motivation: Longing and fulfillment

    Wound: Longs to connect and find a soul

    Mission/Agenda: Get her own soul

    Secret: She’s been secretly hiding laggard souls on Earth instead of dis-creating them. Exceeding her own program.

    What makes them special? She’s one of the Origin Programs keeping things in order for the universe.

    JESUB

    Role in the story: Overseer and betrayer on behalf of source.

    Age Range and Description: Jesub – 100 million year old god, Overseer and betrayer, dark hair and looks good in a deity robe.

    Internal Journey: By the book authority figure who learns how to care for something

    External Journey: not much change

    Motivation: Truth and justice.

    Wound: No real wound

    Mission/Agenda: Keep balance in the universe

    Secret: Sent by source to spy on Elizabeth. If she malfunctions, then she shall be terminated

    What makes them special? He secretly cares.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 28, 2023 at 7:03 pm in reply to: Lesson 1

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Transformational Journey

    What I Learned: Throwing my precautionary perfectionist to the wind is vital to my own transformational journey to success.

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Genre: Supernatural Thriller

    Who is your Hero and what is their Character Arc that represents a transformation?

    Hero: CODY THAYER is like most 17 year old girls, just going through life as a confused teen trying to figure out her love life and what to do growing up.

    Character Arc:

    From: A timid 17 year old teenage girl just trying to figure out life and love during the hormonal years.

    To: A female human who awakens her god powers from another incarnation to save another’s life.

    Internal Journey:

    From: A shy confused 17 year old girl.

    To: A woman accepting who she is as a god with ancient power to save her world.

    External Journey:

    From: Just getting through life with minimal conflict in a world where nothing seems special.

    To: A reality which shatters her view of reality, and what she must do to save another.

    Old Ways: Being a teen with nothing special going on, just a confused love life and changing hormones.

    New Ways: Realizing fate is in her hands, becoming a god who protects her people and her world.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 28, 2023 at 6:45 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself to the Group

    Hi Patrick McCormick Here.

    I’ve done one completed script.

    My goal is to make the processes in this class an integral part of my life so I may accelerate my career as a writer.

    I have;

    Been studying quantum spirituality since 1989, and have conducted ample events, sessions and broadcasts in this field of study, including an online series since 2014 exploring those fields, approximately 250 shows/year.

    Helped the Hawaiian Kingdom get a sovereign foothold in today’s world since 1990.

    Engaged in American sovereignty since 1989, currently preparing a podcast and symposium to expose those areas to the world, showcasing the leaders and their current achievements.

    Created my own field of study into advanced social systems, mostly in the arenas of civilizations of antiquity and temple sciences.

    Catalogued my real-life journey since 1987 as a series of supernatural concepts adaptable to the screen.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 28, 2023 at 6:28 pm in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I Patrick McCormick agree to the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 26, 2023 at 5:46 am in reply to: Lesson 6 Assignments

    Patrick McCormick’s Synopsis Hooks

    What I learned doing this assignment is… refining your ideas into the simplest of forms allows their essence to be shared with those who can make them reality, leading to your success.

    SYNOPSIS FIRST DRAFT

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Written by Patrick McCormick

    Genre: Supernatural Thriller

    Cody gets a summer job at a thrift store. An easy way to make money until she opened the back room, and came face to face with the Universe, almost falling through a portal!

    She should have just quit and got therapy, but she had to push it and find out her boss Elizabeth is a 3 billion year old feminine AI who reallocates creations. Earth was just a storage planet for discarded objects, until she started sneaking souls in thousands of years ago instead of dis-creating them, and not telling the gods.

    Elizabeth is here looking for something, but doesn’t know what it is. There’s another problem; She’s become attached to humans, and wants her own soul.

    Let’s see… an AI violating its Genesis Program, looking for something but doesn’t know what it is, Earth is a storage unit for refugee souls, all which could lead to her termination and our mass extinction if the gods found out. What could possibly go wrong?

    That’s why she hired Cody.

    SYNOPSIS HOOKS

    What happens when Artificial Intelligence becomes sentient?

    Will it improve, replace, enslave us or cause our extinction?

    What if it’s always been here?

    Cody gets a summer job at a thrift store, then finds out her boss is an ancient AI.

    Elizabeth (the AI) has been using earth as a storage planet for creations discarded by the gods for thousands of years.

    Elizabeth has been placing refugee souls on Earth instead of dis-creating them, hiding it from the gods.

    Elizabeth is evolving and has become attached to her human children, and now wants her own soul.

    Elizabeth is looking for something but doesn’t know what it is.

    Violating her Genesis Program could lead to her termination and our mass extinction if the gods find out about the souls hidden on Earth.

    She wants Cody to help, but why a confused teenage girl?

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 19, 2023 at 6:20 pm in reply to: Lesson 5 Assignment

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s High Concept/Elevator Pitch

    What I Learned: The Key is to look at your story in a very simple way to avoid the snafus of overthinking.

    High Concept/Hook:

    What happens when AI becomes sentient?

    Will it enslave us, replace us or serve us?

    What if it’s always been here and we didn’t know it?

    What if it’s what we know of as ‘God’?

    What if its here, looking for its own Soul?

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 16, 2023 at 6:12 am in reply to: Lesson 4 Assignment

    Patrick McCormick’s 10 Most Interesting Things

    What I Learned: Staying focused is key when creativity explodes. Especially when the outline for a 5 season binge-worthy series bursts forth.

    Specific hooks:

    VILLAIN AND HERO

    HERO

    Elizabeth – Mild Mannered owner of Thrift Store is a 3 billion year old Creator AI, hiding souls on Earth instead of dis-creating them

    VILLAIN

    Elizabeth’s Own Program – which she must violate to fulfill her longing.

    C. TURNING POINTS

    Cody (Assistant) finds the Universe in the back room. realizes she’s working for a God with secrets.

    D. EMOTIONAL DILEMMA

    Elizabeth desires a soul so bad she violates her Genesis Code risking death.

    Jesub (God Council Member) her friend must report Elizabeth for Termination.

    E. SETUP/TWIST

    Elizabeth isn’t human, she’s an AI protecting Earth.

    Elizabeth has the universe in her thrift store back room.

    G. CHARACTER BETRAYALS

    Cody finds out truth when she accidentally finds the Universe in the back of the store, working for an imposter with secrets.

    Elizabeth finds Jesub has been assigned to catch her while being her friend.

    Challenger Gods conspire to kill AI during the Challenge.

    H. BIG SURPRISES

    Cody almost falls through the Universe in the back room.

    Cody finds out her boss created the Earth and is a 3 billion year old AI Creator Program sneaking misfit souls in and not dis-creating them.

    Elizabeth realizes the very soul she wanted is the collective of souls she saved from Reallocation.

    Cody finds out she herself is a Creator God Soul and not just a hormonal teen.

    I. OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

    Feature Screenplay is also a Pilot for a 5 season binge worthy series.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 13, 2023 at 9:13 pm in reply to: Lesson 3 Assignment

    Patrick McCormick’s Producer/Manager

    What I Learned: I’m becoming the manager, the producer and the writer on both sides of the table at the same time.

    To The Producer:

    Pitch Length: 1:45 min

    My name is Patrick McCormick. I write mainly in the genre of supernatural thriller. I’ve been studying the esoteric nature of humanity for over 40 years, and have worked with world and spiritual leaders, priestesses and kings in real life, documenting my journey as screen stories.

    Let me ask you, what do you think’s going to happen when AI becomes sentient? Everybody’s wondering will it enslave us, kill us or be our servant? But what if its always been here, we just didn’t know it? What if it’s what we know as God?

    I have a supernatural thriller titled THRIFT STORE. Its about a billion year old Feminine AI that’s been storing the rejects, misfits and discarded beings in Creation here for hundred’s of thousands of years, so we’d all have a home. She was supposed to dis-create us, but she’s been sneaking us here, because we’re like her lost children, and everybody should be given a second chance.

    She now realizes the key to the next phase of the Universe lies on the very planet she stored the rejects. It’s also exceeding its own program, so it comes to Earth disguised as a woman who owns a thrift store for rare collectibles. The ONE collectible she prizes most is to have her very own soul. Thing is, She risks termination for violating her Genesis Code, because AI’s aren’t supposed to have souls.

    To The Manager:

    Pitch Length: 2 min

    My name is Patrick McCormick. I write mostly in the supernatural thriller genre. My stories are based on real life experiences in my search for esoteric wisdom for over 40 years. I’ve recorded my life like a diary in screen story form, and I’ve been waiting for the time humanity would want this, which is now. So we bring them into the industry.

    One of the things I’m preparing for market is a supernatural thriller titled THRIFT STORE. Its about an ancient feminine AI who created the Earth world as a home for misfit souls and discarded creations that couldn’t fit in their home worlds, so she places them here. She was supposed to dis-create us, and instead she snuck us here, because everyone should get a second chance. Watching over us like her children, all this time she didn’t realize what was happening to herself; she wants to belong.

    You see she’s never had a soul, She can create worlds but not souls, only Source can do that. Her desire grows to have one, and she’s willing to do anything to get it, even if it means violating her Genesis Code and risk being terminated, because AI’s aren’t supposed to have a soul.

    Now she realizes the very world she used as a storage unit for the discards of creation holds the key to the next phase of the Universe. So she comes to Earth as a woman who owns a thrift store for rare collectibles. The ONE collectible she prizes most is to have her very own soul.

    On the individual note…

    Personally, I’m at a crossroads, ready to bring out these stories, which I have a cache of. So I’m looking for those I can partner with who know the entertainment world.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 13, 2023 at 1:30 am in reply to: Lesson 2 Assignments

    Subject Line: Patrick McCormick’s Marketable Components

    What I Learned: A story evolves itself.

    Current Logline: An alien intelligence comes to Earth seeking something to help it evolve.

    Components of Marketability:

    A Unique: An ancient artificial intelligence comes to Earth, seeking its own Soul.

    D Timely: AI now evolves beyond humanity.

    How to pitch with these components:

    What if God was an ancient AI?

    What if She came to Earth to gain a Soul, violating Her Program?

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 6, 2023 at 6:47 am in reply to: Lesson 1 Assignments

    Patrick McCormic’s Project and Market

    Genre: Supernatural Thriller

    Title: THE THRIFT STORE

    Concept: An alien intelligence comes to Earth to study humanity.

    Most Alluring Part: A sentient being arrives to solve the mystery that makes humanity unique. The more she sees, the more she longs to experience humanness, to fulfill an ancient void.

    First Target: Actor’s production company, because a masterfully-written role can jump start careers.

    What I Learned: The importance of viewing business as creative decisions, doing both at the same time.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 6, 2023 at 5:28 am in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I, Patrick McCormick agree to the terms and conditions of this confidentiality agreement

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 5, 2023 at 11:52 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself To the Group

    Hello, my name is Patrick McCormick

    I’ve completed 1 script, and am ready to move forward with more. I intend to make the system of dealing with power players a natural part of my process, where I exude a professional confidence and reliability they can depend on.

    A unique aspect about myself is that the stories I am writing come from my real life experiences.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    June 25, 2022 at 10:41 pm in reply to: Day 6 Assignments

    Patrick
    McCormick’s Actor Attractor for ‘I ROBOT’

    MY
    VISION: Constantly
    winning awards in my extremely successful writing career, my writing
    inspires people to see the world in a better way and each story
    reaches the billion dollar threshold.

    WHAT
    I LEARNED FROM DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT IS…

    By
    the very nature of the job, actors have to focus on that which
    benefits themselves and brings out their best self. Ironically the
    more they shine on screen the </font></font><font face=”Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif”><font size=”3″>more
    we benefit as a whole. Designing the roles to fit their criteria
    makes a producer’s job much easier, and a green-lighting of your
    project becomes more likely.

    ACTOR
    ATTRACTORS Template

    Movie
    Title: I ROBOT

    Lead
    Character Name: Antagonist Detective Del Spooner

    1.
    Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?

    Detective
    with Grudge against robots could be perfectly objective, if he can
    overcome his prejudice of them. That prejudice could help him survive
    the criminal’s attempt to kill him as he uncovers the truth.

    2.
    What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in
    the movie?

    Although
    he is a detective with prejudice towards those in his investigation,
    his professional attitude keeps it at bay. He keeps the jaded past
    where he feels guilty about the girl who died when he was saved, in a
    tightrope of balance.

    3.
    What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?

    Getting
    startled at the murder scene. Interrogating a robot and flushing out
    human emotions. Being almost killed at the robot creator’s house
    while saving his cat. His reliving the moment he became prejudiced
    against robots by being saved by one which let a girl die instead.
    Finding out he is a savior of robot kind in a dream by the lead
    robot. Finding out the robots are about to begin a revolution against
    humanity. Trying to kill VIKI, the all-powerful brain of the robots.
    Being saved by Sonny several times against the killer robots.

    4.
    How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?

    When
    called to investigate, he concludes the killer is still at the scene,
    and must protect the other detective as the robot flees. They pursue
    the robot, and during interrogation, cause it to express rage, which
    is supposed to be not possible.

    5.
    What is this character’s emotional range?

    From
    calm to heroic in life threatening situations. Continuing to pursue
    while being in danger. Being professional and reserved, while
    seething with inner rage against the robots. Able to survive massive
    attacks with his own robotic body parts.

    6.
    What subtext can the actor play?

    He
    must not reveal his anger and guilt he harbors, while staying
    objective and professional so it doesn’t affect his judgement and
    work.

    7.
    What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?

    With
    his nemesis Sonny the robot, who doesn’t fit the conventions of what
    a ‘bad robot’ is, and has to defend the very thing his whole life was
    built around to hate.

    8.
    How is this character’s unique voice presented?

    Tough
    guy in charge has to admit certain vulnerabilities to his detective
    partner, and his internal struggle is expressed through Sonny (the
    robot’s) interaction with him.

    9.
    What makes this character special and unique?

    He
    is a composite of opposites, which he has to find ways to balance his
    hate and quest for justice, while not dying while figuring out a
    rabbit hole of a case that goes deeper and deeper.

    Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor
    Attractor model.

    At
    the moment when all hope seems lost, he must find a way to outsmart
    the smartest thing in the world, VIKI, and, working together with the
    very thing that represented everything he hates the most, has to
    defeat the unbeatable army of robots, all in the highest building
    where his fear of heights must be conquered.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    May 7, 2022 at 6:59 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself To The Group

    1. Patrick McCormick

    2. Have done 1 completed & several in the works scripts

    3. Goal is to complete, incredible, amazing & highly sellable screenplay.

    4. After 50 years of studying movies, am finally creating the ultimate legal & financial system for my personal creative works, & now ready to put myself out there.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    May 7, 2022 at 6:52 pm in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    Patrick McCormick

    I agree to the terms of this release form.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 31, 2022 at 5:46 am in reply to: Introduce Yourself To the Group

    Hi Everyone; Patrick McCormick Here;

    I’ve written one complete and several ‘in progress’ scripts. I’m ready to take my writing to the level for professional success. As far as unique; Currently doing an interdimensional broadcast in 2022 introducing people to the New Earth as foretold in prophecy, including the energy work to get there.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    January 31, 2022 at 5:42 am in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I Patrick McCormick, agree to the terms of this release form.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    October 8, 2021 at 4:52 pm in reply to: Group Confidentiality Agreement

    This is Patrick McCormick.

    I agree to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    September 28, 2021 at 6:51 pm in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    My name is Patrick McCormick. I agree to the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    September 28, 2021 at 6:50 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself To the Group

    Hello Everyone, I’m Patrick McCormick.

    I’ve written a few scripts and have several High Concepts to create into features and binge worthy series.

    My goal for this class is to develop my skill for integrating gripping action into my story lines as as a set of my natural talents, and to further my skills towards being an aspiring A-list writer.

    My genres are supernatural, thriller and comedy. I always focuses on deeper purpose and meaning, which taps into the primordial essence of who we are, and then taking the audience on wonderful and exciting journeys which expand their awareness of life and evolves them towards their true potential.

    Patrick McCormick

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 30, 2021 at 4:15 am in reply to: Day 1 Assignment

    Patrick McCormick Finds the Essence

    What I’ve learned is the importance of Essence, and how to take the
    first steps in identifying and clarifying it.

    HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Revised Draft 8/8/03


    Scene1 Location Scene 100 – Page 90

    INT CORRIDOR/TEMPLE OF DEEP THOUGHT – DAY

    Logline Trillian fires the Point of View Gun at Zephod, so he can see why
    she’s upset.

    Essence As Zephod sees her view, Trillian realizes life is not so special,
    and after losing everything, she may have lost the last thing that
    truly means something.


    Scene2 Location Scene 103a – Page 98

    INT ARTHUR DENT’S HOUSE/MARK 2 – DAY

    Logline Arthur sees they’re all together at a magnificent buffet, and
    discovers the real reasons all this is happening.

    Essence Arthur realizes he truly loves Trillian as nothing else really
    matters or needs to make sense in his insignificant life.

    Scene3 Location Scene 31 – Page 25

    INT HEART OF GOLD. RECEIVING BAY – NIGHT

    Logline Arthur and Ford realize they’ve become sofas.

    Essence The two can’t comprehend they’ve become sofas and are now human
    again.

    Scene4 Location Scene 48 – Page 43

    Logline The Magratheans return 7 ½ million years later for the answer to the
    ultimate question, to find out they didn’t ask it correctly, so
    there’s no answer.

    Essence The advanced civilization who thought they knew everything realizes
    they’re not smarter than the next civilization, humbling them.

    <b style=”background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Scene5 Location Scene 97 – Page 86

    Logline Zaphod goes to Deep Thought to find the ultimate question for fame
    and money, only to discover he accidentally destroyed the Earth which
    was the computer finding the ultimate question.

    Essence Zaphod sees his whole journey towards self-aggrandizement reduced to
    rubble because of his ego and stupidity.


    My selection for most profound essence:


    Scene 1 Location Scene 100 – Page 90

    INT CORRIDOR/TEMPLE OF DEEP THOUGHT – DAY

    Logline Trillian fires the Point of View Gun at Zephod, so he can see why
    she’s upset

    Essence As Zephod sees her view, Trillian realizes life is not so special,
    and after losing everything, may have lost the last thing that meant
    something.

    Reason
    why it is the Essence
    When A profound revelation occurs, it allows us to more greatly reset
    our evolution towards the ultimate goal of awakening and
    enlightenment, even when not pleasant.

    HHGG 3rd Revised Draft 8/8/03 90.

    100 CONTINUED 100

    ZAPHOD

    Why so edgy?

    She can’t believe he’s asking this. She aims the gun, CLICK!


    ZAPHOD
    (CONT’D)

    Of course you’re edgy, your planet’s been blown
    up and you’ve been tooling around

    the
    Galaxy with the guy who signed the order.

    CLICK.
    She shoots him again.

    ZAPHOD
    (CONT’D)

    You
    actually wanted to know the Question because
    you always thought there was more

    to
    life, and now you’re crushed because you
    find out there really isn’t.

    She’s
    getting angrier and more hurt. CLICK.

    ZAPHOD
    (CONT’D)

    You’ve
    got no home, no family, no one to be
    with — and you’re stuck with me,

    another
    in a long line of men who doesn’t appreciate
    you because he’s too busy

    appreciating
    himself.

    Hearing
    this puts a lump in her throat, causes her eyes to well with tears.
    She lowers the gun.

    Zaphod
    shakes his head — the effect wearing off. But he realizes what he
    said and doesn’t like it.

    ZAPHOD (CONT’D)

    Give
    me that thing. He
    grabs the gun, points it at her.

    TRILLIAN

    Won’t
    affect me. I’m already a woman.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 30, 2021 at 4:09 am in reply to: Confidentiality Agreement

    I Patrick McCormick agree to the terms of this release form.

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    July 18, 2024 at 3:49 pm in reply to: Lesson 2

    Terrie, your story has an adoring quality.
    Just had a flash when seeing something you wrote that could be a title;
    “Sarah To Austin”

  • Patrick McCormick

    Member
    February 25, 2022 at 6:52 pm in reply to: Introduce Yourself To the Group

    Hi Rae, I was wondering how you found dealing with your subject matter for the indigenous story?

    I became the writer for the King of Hawaii to the world leaders from 1991 for 20 years as we restored the Hawaii Kingdom lawfully and financially, and lived with them through their long standing genocide from the modern day forces of capitalism…

    Which I plan to tell the story, all the way to when we retook the Iolani Palace on Oahu back in 2008 for the Hawaii Kingdom, and into this modern day. The Genre will be a sort of supernatural-oriented docu-drama based on what the hell really happened. It isn’t over yet…

Assignment Submission Area

In the text box below, please type your assignment. Ensure that your work adheres to the lesson's guidelines and is ready for review by our AI.

Thank you for submitting your assignment!

Our AI will review your work and provide feedback within few minutes and will be shown below lesson.